April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM), established in 1983 by presidential proclamation. Here at Mobile Wellness, we want to spread awareness to protect our children and promote a safe environment where all children can thrive. Kids are our future, and they deserve a fulfilling life filled with dignity and love.
Communities are encouraged to implement effective strategies that support families, prevent child abuse and neglect, and collaborate with organizations such as schools, churches, and nonprofits to strengthen families and protect children.
Protective Factors, ACEs, and the Social-Ecological Model
By recognizing family strengths and the effects of traumatic experiences, we can better understand protective factors, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and the social-ecological model—all of which help guide efforts to reduce the risk of maltreatment and prevent abuse or neglect from reoccurring.
Protective Factors
Protective factors are conditions that enhance the well-being of children and families and reduce the likelihood of abuse. When these factors are present in families and communities, they help parents access resources, support, and coping strategies—even during adversity.
Examples include:
- Social connections
- Cultural identity
- Parenting support groups
- Nurturing relationships and secure attachment
- Knowledge of parenting and child development
- Resilience
- Church and spiritual/emotional development
(Lund et al., 2018)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
ACEs are traumatic events that occur during childhood, such as physical or sexual abuse, neglect, parental incarceration or substance abuse, domestic violence, parental detachment, a lack of nurturing, or mental illness within the household.
These early experiences can have long-lasting effects across the lifespan. ACEs can impact one’s ability to form healthy relationships, affect confidence and self-worth, and interfere with emotional regulation and coping skills (Burke & Wrona, 2022).
Socio-Ecological Model
The optimal development and well-being of children and adolescents depend on their interactions with biological, environmental, and contextual factors—including family, community, sociocultural, economic, political, and legal systems.
These influences shape development across the lifespan. Families, children, and teens each bring their own strengths, resources, and abilities to handle challenges. The social-ecological model emphasizes the importance of the people and institutions that surround a child, helping to protect their health, autonomy, and growth potential.
Discussion
Research shows that children exposed to ACEs are more likely to experience poor physical and mental health in adulthood. They are also at higher risk for engaging in risky behaviors and developing substance use disorders (Burke & Wrona, 2022).
Most adult mental health disorders have roots in childhood trauma, mistreatment, or neglect. These conditions may include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety and depression
- Personality disorders such as borderline, narcissistic, paranoid, avoidant, antisocial, or schizoid personality disorder
(DSM-5-TR)
In addition to mental health issues, childhood trauma has also been linked to chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive impairments.
Conclusion
Parents, communities, organizations, and we—as mental health professionals—all have the power to help build a bright, productive, and joyful future for our children. As we’ve emphasized, children are the future of our society.
Families have long served as the foundation for passing on moral values. Early intervention is crucial. The immediate and long-term impacts of child abuse and neglect can be reduced through training and therapeutic support for children and their families.
Preventing child abuse is a shared responsibility. Creating safe, stable, and nurturing environments is essential to promoting children’s health and development.
Join us at Mobile Wellness in our mission to eradicate child abuse.
We provide training and counseling for children and families, helping them build strong, compassionate, and supportive relationships. Together, we can reduce the short- and long-term effects of abuse and help every child reach their full potential.
To learn more or get support, contact us at 866-413-1988 or info@mobilementalwellness.org.
Young children experience the world through their relationships with parents and caregivers. The quality of these relationships—and the environments in which children grow—plays a vital role in healthy development.
Written by Maria Robledo-Ramos
To learn more about Maria and her work, visit mwiservices.org/our-team/.