Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire
10-item screening — Assess childhood trauma exposure
The ACE Questionnaire measures exposure to 10 categories of adverse childhood experiences. Developed from the landmark CDC-Kaiser study (Felitti et al., 1998), it is one of the most widely used tools in public health and clinical research. Takes 2-3 minutes.
What Is the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire?
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire is a 10-item screening tool developed from the landmark CDC-Kaiser Permanente study (Felitti et al., 1998), one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction and their relationship to later-life health and well-being.
How It Works
Each item is answered as Yes (1) or No (0):
- Yes = you experienced that category of adversity during your first 18 years
- No = you did not
The 10 ACE Categories
The questionnaire covers three domains with 10 categories:
Abuse (3 categories): 1. Emotional abuse 2. Physical abuse 3. Sexual abuse
Household Challenges (4 categories): 4. Mother treated violently 5. Household substance abuse 6. Household mental illness 7. Parental separation or divorce 8. Incarcerated household member
Neglect (2 categories): 9. Emotional neglect 10. Physical neglect
Key Research Findings
The original ACE study (Felitti et al., 1998, n=17,337) found that:
- Nearly two-thirds (64%) of participants reported at least one ACE
- 12.5% reported an ACE score of 4 or higher
- There is a strong graded relationship between ACE score and adult health risk behaviors and diseases
- Individuals with ACE scores ≥ 4 had 4-12 times increased risk for alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, and suicide attempts
- Higher ACE scores are associated with increased risk of heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and liver disease
Clinical Use
The ACE is used for:
- Risk screening in primary care and mental health settings
- Population health surveillance
- Research on the effects of childhood adversity
- Trauma-informed care planning
Reliability & Validity
- Internal consistency: Cronbach’s α = .88 (original sample)
- Test-retest reliability: κ = .64 (moderate-to-substantial agreement over one year)
- Construct validity: ACE scores show consistent dose-response relationships with numerous health outcomes across diverse populations
- Cross-cultural validation: ACE has been validated in multiple countries and languages
Disclaimer
This questionnaire is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A high ACE score does not mean you will develop health problems — it indicates increased statistical risk. Many individuals with high ACE scores lead healthy, successful lives. If this questionnaire raises distressing feelings, please consider speaking with a mental health professional.
Scoring Guide
Score range 0-10 (1 point per 'Yes' response). Score ≥ 4 indicates significantly increased health risks. The original Felitti et al. (1998) study found graded dose-response relationships between ACE score and multiple health outcomes. Cronbach's α = .88 (original CDC-Kaiser sample).
Result Interpretation
After completing the 10 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed instantly on screen. No account, email, or login required.