Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACES),Jamaica-Adult [25 yrs & up]

Principal Investigator, Affiliation and Contact Information: Dr. Kai A D Morgan; Dr KAD Morgan and Associates, kadmorganpractice75@gmail.com; kahlejourney@gmail.com

Additional Investigators: Dr. Margarett Barnett, Mrs. Djavila Ho, Dr. Kimberly Ho-Misiaszek; Ms. Christina Silvera, Mrs. Yvette Boucher-Gardner, Mrs Chaday Nelson

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) include traumatic events/stressors in childhood or adolescence like abuse, neglect, and other major stressors such as witnessing violence and bullying.  ACEs can have a tremendous impact on the future of those that have had these experiences. The purpose of the study is to analyse the rate and types of trauma in the Jamaican population; as well as the important factors such as age, health and behaviours related to each experience. This study will also examine the possible health and lifestyle outcomes of having these experiences.

If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete one questionnaire with questions about you or your child as well as health details and indicate your or their experiences from a list of adverse childhood experiences during your life.

Participants must be Jamaican citizens and informed consent given.  It will take approximately 5-7 minutes for you to complete this questionnaire. All principles outlined in the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Guidelines for the Conduct of Research on Human Subjects have been complied with.

Filling out this questionnaire can cause discomfort when responding to questions related to your adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the form of emotional distress or traumatic memories. If you notice that you are experiencing distress and need support, please contact K.A.D Morgan and Associates via telephone at (876) 869-7657 or email kadmorganpractice75@gmail.com. If you are experiencing overwhelming feelings of distress visit your nearest public hospital emergency room or call the police at 119 for assistance.  For independent advice, you may also contact the MoHW Chairperson of the Ministry of Health’s Ethics and Medico-legal Affairs Panel at 876-633-8172 or 876-633-7771. 

People who participate in this study may have a better understanding of the effects of their Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and are contributing to the overall understanding for better treatment approaches for our Jamaican people.

Your responses are completely anonymous. No personal identifying information or IP addresses will be collected. No names or other identifying information will be used when discussing or reporting data. The investigator(s) will safely keep all files and data collected in a secured computer file on a computer at the principal investigator’s office. Once the data has been fully analyzed it will be destroyed.

By selecting “yes” on this form, you authorize the use and disclosure of the following information for this research: my responses to the questionnaire, any observations made, and findings found during the course of this study for education, publication and/or presentation.

Participants will not be compensated for participation in this study.

Your decision to participate in this study is completely voluntary. If you decide to not participate in this study, it will not affect the care, services, or benefits to which you are entitled.

If you decide to participate in this study, you may withdraw from your participation at any time without penalty.

There is no cost for participating in this study. Any medical expenses resulting from participation in this study will not be reimbursed by the investigators.