The impact of childhood experiences on young people’s subsequent mental health has been explored by several of the projects.
Through creative qualitative work, the ATTUNE project identified ‘new’ ACEs defined by young people, including masking in neurodivergent young people, school trauma, and constant invalidation of experiences, identities and needs. These ACEs do not end in childhood: ongoing invalidation in schools, services and relationships “keeps the hurt going” allowing adversity to replay throughout adolescence.
Using cohort data, the team identified that ACEs have detrimental effects on the development of depression and anxiety symptoms between the ages of 11 and 14, with impacts differing across intersectionality profiles, demonstrating that vulnerability is patterned by social position as well as exposure.
The team used findings to co-develop
- a serious mobile game for young people called ‘Ace of Hearts’ to support experiences around bereavement, poverty, disability, gender dysphoria and being a young carer
- Validating Voices, a resource to help organisations work in a trauma-informed way.
Explore the ATTUNE project podcast here
Links between food insecurity in childhood and eating disorders in adolescence have been explored by the EDIFY team in cohort studies and surveys. They found that childhood food insecurity – both persistent and time-limited - was linked with higher odds of disordered eating in adolescence.
People with current or past experience of an eating disorder described how food insecurity worsened their symptoms and efforts at recovery, with feelings of shame contributed to low levels of seeking help. Eating disorder healthcare providers report increasing levels of food insecurity among their patients, but have limited knowledge about the relationship and stress the lack of available guidance. Food insecurity is a systemic issue that will require policy change to be eliminated.
The EDIFY team have summarised these findings in an animation with collaborators Woven Ink, and in an accompanying blog, and have secured further funding to produce resources for patients and training for clinicians.