This article will discuss the links between exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and impulsivity. Impulsivity is the tendency to act on urges or desires without thinking through the long-term consequences of those actions. It is struggling with a lack of self-control.
Before we begin any discussion about the effects of trauma, it is important to remind ourselves that healing and resilience are possible. Many factors can prevent these effects from occurring in the first place, and many factors can lead to their healing if they have occurred.
Our purpose here is to learn about potential ways trauma can adversely impact people, so that we can then use this knowledge to create trauma-informed, healing ministries.
If you begin to feel overwhelmed at any point when reading this article, please pause and seek guidance from a trained mental health professional, a trusted friend, or a mentor.
Why Study Impulsivity and Childhood Trauma?
Studies have found impulsivity to be a risk factor for many risky and harmful behaviors, including video game addiction (1), violent behavior (2), suicide risk (3), substance use (4), and risky sexual behavior (5). Impulsivity is also a part of numerous psychological disorders, including ADHD, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression and anxiety disorders (6).
All of these things are more likely due to ACEs. Various studies have found that ACEs are associated with an increased risk of various impulsive behaviors, such as substance use, risky sexual behaviors, violence, criminal behavior, and suicidality, as well as with behavior addictions such as gambling. ACEs are also associated with higher odds of many psychological disorders.
Because both adverse childhood experiences and impulsivity are risk factors or part of many of the things above, researchers have looked to see if ACEs can explain the development of impulsivity. If ACEs do lead to impulsivity, we can target it in treatment and prevention programs for these psychological disorders and risky behaviors.
How Adverse Childhood Experiences and Impulsivity Are Connected
Overall, exposure to childhood trauma is associated with increased levels of impulsivity (7).
Researchers have identified several reasons for this connection.
One theory is called the Life History Theory. This theory posits that throughout people’s childhood and development, they will allocate their limited time and energy to various life areas, depending on their environment.
When people grow up in stable environments, they learn to and can dedicate their time and energy to areas with long-term rewards, such as excelling in school, securing a good job, and maintaining long-term relationships.
However, in challenging environments such as those with ACEs present, people face uncertainty and learn to focus their time and energy on survival, which is a short-term goal. This focus on survival leads a person to prioritize short-term goals, which can result in increased impulsivity, driven at its core by the pursuit of short-term gains over long-term consequences (7).
Childhood trauma can also make people less reactive to stress, so they may not be able to think through and perceive danger as well. It can also impair the cognitive ability to think through consequences and regulate one’s actions, and may lead to difficulties with emotion regulation, which can increase the likelihood of impulsivity (8).
Finally, childhood trauma can also lead to difficulties with short-term memory, which can also make thinking through the consequences of actions more difficult (9).
Conclusion
Overall, ACEs seem to be associated with higher levels of impulsivity, putting people at risk of engaging in risky, unhealthy behaviors also related to ACEs.
There is hope for healing and resilience following exposure to ACEs. If you or someone you know may be suffering from these adverse effects of ACEs, please visit the healing resources page to begin your healing journey.