Free ACE Survey
50+ Must Ask ACE Questions for Your Next Survey
Measuring ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) uncovers hidden traumas that can shape lifelong health and wellbeing. Our ACE survey - built from proven ACE survey questions - assesses exposure to childhood adversity; download our free ACE survey template loaded with sample ACE questions, and if you need more flexibility, create your own using our online form builder.
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Top Secrets to Crafting an ACE Survey That Uncovers Hidden Trauma
Designing an ACE survey matters because it shines a light on experiences that shape lifelong health. Start by defining clear goals: are you screening for risk, guiding counseling, or driving community research? A well-crafted ACE survey uses straightforward, respectful language to build trust and improve response rates.
Experts rely on tools like the 14-item THL Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire for its strong reliability (ω = 0.89 - 0.90) and test-retest consistency (r = 0.93)Development and initial validation of the THL Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-THL). You can borrow validated items or adapt them to your context.
Focus on brevity and clarity. Link each question to a real outcome, like mental health or educational support. Tools such as the Difficult Childhood Questionnaire offer concise modules that measure impact on adult lifeAdverse childhood experiences and impact on quality of life in adulthood. This boosts buy-in from both respondents and stakeholders.
Imagine a school counselor running a quick poll in the hall before a parent meeting. They ask "Have you ever felt unsafe at home as a child?" and follow with "What do you value most about your childhood relationships?" This real-world scenario shows how an ACE survey can spark honest dialogue and guide targeted support.
Ready to make your template shine? Borrow proven formats and pair them with user-friendly designs - just like our General Feedback Survey. When you ground your ACE survey in research and empathy, you'll uncover insights that drive meaningful change.
5 Must-Know Pitfalls to Avoid in Your ACE Survey Template
Even the best intentions can falter if your ACE survey falls into common traps. Skipping a clear structure or piling on too many items leaves respondents overwhelmed. When you avoid these missteps, you'll collect cleaner data and earn genuine trust.
Pitfall #1: Ambiguous phrasing. Vague questions like "Did you have a hard childhood?" lack precision. Pitfall #2: Ignoring test-retest reliability. A quick replication study proved the 17-item Childhood Experiences Survey reliable across diverse groupsValidity of an expanded assessment of adverse childhood experiences. Consistency matters.
Pitfall #3: Skipping cultural adaptation. The ACE-IQ shines when tailored to local normsCross-cultural Adaptation of the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire. Without it, you risk misunderstanding key experiences.
Pitfall #4: Mixing response scales. Don't swap yes/no with Likert without clear purpose. Pitfall #5: Launching without a pilot. A small test run catches awkward wording before you go live.
Here's a quick fix: pilot your survey with 10 - 15 people, refine items, then run a soft launch. Try a straightforward question like "Did you live with anyone who used drugs or alcohol?" and gauge reaction. For broader insights, tie in an Evaluation Survey approach: ask peers to rate clarity, tone, and length. Follow these steps, and your ACE survey will guide support strategies rather than confuse respondents.
ACE Survey Fundamentals Questions
The ACE Survey Fundamentals Questions focus on the essential components of adverse childhood experiences assessment. These questions are designed to improve the clarity and flow of your evaluation process, drawing on best practices from our Evaluation Survey . Use this set to set a solid foundation before exploring detailed trauma metrics.
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Have you ever completed an ACE survey before?
This question gauges prior familiarity with the ACE framework, helping you identify if additional guidance is needed. It ensures respondents know what to expect and can adjust support accordingly.
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Do you understand why we are asking about childhood experiences?
Clarifying the survey's purpose builds trust and transparency. It also reduces confusion and encourages honest responses.
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Are the instructions provided at the beginning clear to you?
Assessing instruction clarity helps you refine wording and layout. Clear directions improve completion rates and data quality.
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Is the survey length acceptable for you?
Understanding perceived length prevents drop-off and fatigue. It guides you in balancing thoroughness with respondent comfort.
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Do you feel the response options are easy to select?
Evaluating response format usability ensures items are accessible. It helps avoid misclicks and incomplete answers.
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Would more examples improve your understanding of each question?
Examples can illustrate complex concepts and reduce misinterpretation. This insight informs whether to include additional explanatory text.
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Is the survey language inclusive and unbiased?
Checking for bias promotes ethical standards in data collection. Inclusive wording supports accurate reflection of diverse experiences.
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Do you know how many sections this ACE survey contains?
This question tests structural awareness, highlighting if a clear outline is present. It can guide improvements to the survey's navigation.
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Would you prefer a progress indicator during completion?
Progress bars can enhance motivation and reduce abandonment. This feedback informs your decision to add visual cues.
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Are you comfortable answering personal questions in this format?
Assessing comfort levels helps you balance depth with sensitivity. It can point to a need for trigger warnings or additional support.
ACE Score Interpretation Questions
This set of questions helps interpret ACE scores by probing common patterns and risk thresholds. Tailor these items to enhance the depth of analysis in your Education Survey results. They guide administrators in translating raw scores into meaningful insights.
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Do you know how ACE scores are calculated?
Understanding the calculation method empowers respondents to interpret their own results. It also identifies if further explanation is required.
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Are you aware of the threshold commonly used to indicate high risk?
This question checks knowledge of risk cutoffs, ensuring you provide context where needed. It supports accurate risk communication.
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Do you feel your ACE score reflects your lived experience?
Subjective alignment with the score validates the survey's relevance. It flags potential issues in question framing or scoring.
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Would a graphical representation of your score be helpful?
Visual aids can make numerical data more intuitive. This feedback guides your decision on including charts or infographics.
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Do you prefer a numeric score or risk category labels?
Different formats resonate with different audiences. This insight informs how to present results for maximum clarity.
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How important is it to see changes in your ACE score over time?
Tracking longitudinal changes can motivate engagement in support programs. Responses guide decisions on follow-up assessments.
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Do you need a detailed explanation for each score level?
Providing definitions per level enhances comprehension and actionability. This question helps decide if those notes are necessary.
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Would you like resource suggestions based on your ACE score?
Linking scores to resources promotes proactive care. This feedback shapes the inclusion of referral information.
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Do you find percentile rankings useful for contextualizing your score?
Percentiles help respondents see how they compare to others. Replies guide the use of comparative data in reports.
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Would you prefer personalized feedback through follow-up consultation?
Some respondents need professional interpretation to act on their score. This question informs potential service offerings.
ACE Childhood Trauma Questions
These questions delve into specific adverse experiences that may have occurred during childhood. They are crafted to capture detailed trauma histories relevant to clinical and support contexts, similar to our Parent Survey approach. Use them to build a comprehensive view of early-life challenges.
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Before age 18, did a caregiver ever verbally abuse you?
Verbal abuse is a key ACE indicator linked to long-term mental health outcomes. Identifying it helps target language-based trauma interventions.
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Did you witness physical violence between household members?
Observing domestic violence can be as damaging as direct abuse. This item gauges exposure to inter-personal harm.
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Were there times you lacked adequate food, clothing, or shelter?
Neglect is a core ACE domain with lasting developmental impacts. This question screens for deprivation experiences.
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Did an adult or older person ever touch you in a sexual way?
Sexual abuse profoundly affects emotional and physical health. Capturing this data is critical for providing appropriate support.
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Did you live with someone who had substance abuse problems?
Substance misuse in the household often correlates with instability and neglect. This item identifies a common adversity factor.
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Did you have a household member with diagnosed mental illness?
Mental health issues at home can create a stressful environment. This question flags potential need for psychological services.
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Were your parents divorced or separated before you turned 18?
Parental separation can contribute to emotional distress and economic hardship. Tracking this factor aids holistic risk assessment.
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Did a household member ever go to prison?
Incarceration of a family member is linked to social stigma and financial strain. It's an important ACE dimension to track.
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Did you often feel unsafe in your neighborhood as a child?
Community violence and insecurity impact behavioral development. This item broadens the ACE scope beyond the household.
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Was a primary caregiver frequently absent for extended periods?
Caregiver absence can result in emotional neglect and attachment issues. Identifying it supports care planning for attachment repair.
ACE Study Design Questions
The ACE Study Design Questions focus on methodological considerations for large-scale research. Incorporate these items to refine sampling, consent, and data collection as seen in our Academic Performance Survey . They ensure your study is rigorous and ethically sound.
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What sampling method will you employ to recruit participants?
Choosing an appropriate sampling strategy affects generalizability. This question ensures you plan for representative data.
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How will you obtain informed consent from respondents?
Ethical compliance requires clear consent procedures. This item checks your readiness to address participant rights.
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Which mode of data collection will you use (online, paper, interview)?
Each mode has implications for response rates and data integrity. Clarifying this helps tailor your logistics plan.
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How will you ensure confidentiality and data security?
Protecting sensitive ACE data is paramount. This question prompts robust measures for privacy and compliance.
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What statistical analyses are planned for ACE score data?
Specifying analytic methods upfront guides data collection and power calculations. It strengthens the study's validity.
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What is your targeted sample size for sufficient power?
Determining sample size prevents under-powered studies. It also aids in resource allocation and timeline planning.
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How will you handle missing or incomplete responses?
Missing data strategies preserve the integrity of your findings. This item ensures you have a plan for imputation or exclusion.
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What steps will you take to minimize interviewer bias?
Interviewer training and standardization reduce measurement error. This question checks for those quality-control protocols.
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How frequently will you conduct follow-up assessments?
Longitudinal designs require clear timelines for re-measurement. This item supports planning for participant retention.
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In what format will you report demographic breakdowns?
Transparent reporting aids interpretation and replicability. This question ensures demographic variables are pre-specified.
ACE Screening & Quiz Questions
Screening and quiz-style questions can engage participants while identifying critical ACE indicators quickly. These prompts draw inspiration from efficient screening tools like our Anxiety Survey assessments. Use them to streamline participant evaluation without sacrificing depth.
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How many questions are in the standard ACE survey?
This item tests baseline knowledge of the ACE format. It also primes respondents for the survey's length and scope.
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True or false: Emotional neglect is an ACE category.
Including true/false items can make screening more interactive. This question reinforces understanding of ACE domains.
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Which of these qualifies as an adverse childhood experience: parental divorce, high school failure, frequent moves?
Multiple-choice items help differentiate common misconceptions. This question sharpens focus on validated ACE factors.
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True or false: Household alcohol abuse is included in the ACE survey.
Quick quizzes can highlight key adversity types. This prompt checks awareness of household dysfunction categories.
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At what minimum age is it recommended to start ACE screenings?
Age-appropriate screening ensures developmental suitability. This item assesses knowledge of best-practice guidelines.
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What ACE score threshold is commonly associated with elevated health risk?
Knowing risk thresholds informs triage and referral decisions. This question sharpens practical application of score interpretation.
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Household mental illness is classified under which ACE domain?
Domain-specific items reinforce understanding of survey structure. This question aids in teaching the ACE framework.
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True or false: A higher ACE score can correlate with chronic health conditions.
Linking scores to health outcomes underscores survey relevance. This item tests basic knowledge of ACE implications.
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How frequently can ACE assessments be administered?
Survey cadence affects longitudinal reliability. This question prompts consideration of follow-up intervals.
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Who is the most appropriate professional to conduct ACE screenings?
Choosing the right administrator ensures ethical and accurate data collection. This item reinforces personnel qualifications.
