ACE-10
Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (10-item)
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (10-item) (ACE-10) is a 10-item ptsd / trauma assessment for adult (asks about childhood, before age 18). It typically takes about 4 minutes to complete, producing a total score from 0 to 10 where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
10
4 min
adult (asks about childhood, before age 18)
0–10
About the ACE-10
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (10-item) (ACE-10) is a 10-item ptsd / trauma assessment for adult (asks about childhood, before age 18). It typically takes about 4 minutes to complete, producing a total score from 0 to 10 where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
First published in 1998 by Felitti VJ, Anda RF, Nordenberg D, Williamson DF, Spitz AM, Edwards V, Koss MP, Marks JS, the ACE-10 is in the public domain and free to use without permission or fees. With Psyche Assess you can send the ACE-10 to clients online, score it automatically, and generate a clinician-ready report in seconds.
ACE-10 questions
- 1
Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you? Or act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt?
- 2
Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often push, grab, slap, or throw something at you? Or ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?
- 3
Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way? Or attempt or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you?
- 4
Did you often or very often feel that no one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special? Or that your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?
- 5
Did you often or very often feel that you didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you? Or that your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it?
- 6
Were your parents ever separated or divorced?
- 7
Was your mother or stepmother often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her? Or sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard? Or ever repeatedly hit at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?
- 8
Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic, or who used street drugs?
- 9
Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide?
- 10
Did a household member go to prison?
Items reproduced from a documented, freely usable source. Item wording is preserved exactly as published.
Scoring & interpretation
| Range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–0 | No reported ACEs | No adverse childhood experiences endorsed. |
| 1–3 | Low to moderate | Some adverse childhood experiences endorsed; consider trauma-informed care. |
| 4–10 | High cumulative risk | High cumulative ACE exposure (≥4) — strongly associated with adult mental-health and physical-health outcomes. Trauma-informed treatment recommended. |
Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Frequently asked questions
How many items does the ACE-10 have?
The ACE-10 has 10 items and takes about 4 minutes to complete.
How is the ACE-10 scored?
Item responses are summed for a total score from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate greater severity. Totals fall into the interpretive bands shown above.
Is the ACE-10 free to use?
Yes — the ACE-10 is in the public domain and free to use, reproduce, and translate.
Who is the ACE-10 for?
The ACE-10 is designed for adult (asks about childhood, before age 18) and is used by clinicians, researchers, and integrated-care teams.
Source & references
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