Tertiary Interventions for Child Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Abstract Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been shown to have long term detrimental effects on health of those who experience them. There is research that links ACEs and poor health outcomes, some of which are caused by health harming behaviors, which are more common in those who experience ACEs. Intervening early and through teaching appropriate coping strategies to children who experience ACEs could be a way to decrease their poor health outcomes. Objectives: The purpose of this integrative review of the literature was to find research conducted regarding tertiary evidence-based practice interventions nursing professionals can use to help children and who have experienced ACEs cope better and to find gaps in the literature. Methods: This integrative review of the literature used Judith Garrard’s matrix method to codify the data and allow for synthesis of results found. Results: Practicing trauma-informed care, interprofessional collaboration, educating providers, utilizing group therapy and generating funding were found to provide aspects of tertiary intervention in children who experienced ACEs. The search did not yield results for specific evidence-based tertiary interventions in children who experience ACEs Conclusion: This integrative review of the literature sought to examine and synthesize the literature on evidence-based practice interventions health care providers can use to prevent children who experience ACEs from developing maladaptive coping mechanisms which will protect against long term negative health issues associated with ACEs. Keywords: integrative review of the literature, adverse childhood experiences, intervention, coping, nursin