Mechanisms linking Adverse Childhood Experiences to adolescent mental health: a participatory arts-based study of adolescents accounts.

The study examined how adolescents aged 10-24 years from diverse backgrounds in England (62 participants) understand the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and their mental health. The research used participatory arts-based methods including visual arts, animation, drama, dance, music, and creative writing. Unlike traditional models, adolescents did not emphasize past adverse events as the main factor, but rather current conditions in their lives. The research identified two interconnected mechanisms: system failures (invalidation, bullying, unresponsive school and health systems) and seeking restoration (sense of belonging, validation, safety, and authenticity). Felt safety or lack thereof emerged as the central mechanism affecting mental health. The findings suggest that adolescents explain their mental health through current experiences of safety and recognition rather than through historical trauma.