ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES: CAUSES AND IMPACT ON BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING OF CHILDREN IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, that children in Nigeria are exposed to have a significant influence on their behaviour and emotional health. This study investigates the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in Nigeria and highlights the factors that contribute to their occurrence, such as poverty, socioeconomic inequality, and unhealthy family dynamics. The adverse impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on children's behavioural issues, such as aggression, impulsivity, and problems with self-regulation, are investigated, as are the consequences on children's academic achievement, their social relationships, and the dangers of engaging in dangerous behaviours. The study also focuses on potential interventions that can be used to reduce the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). These interventions include increasing awareness, increasing access to child-friendly mental health services, strengthening social support systems, implementing child protection laws, promoting parenting programs, and integrating trauma-informed care This paper recommends the urgent need for collaborative efforts and the prioritizing of children's well-being in order to build a caring environment where Nigerian children may thrive and overcome the problems associated with ACE.