Exploring Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Among Women Mental Health Clients in a Residential Care Facility: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with long-term psychological, emotional, and relational difficulties that may persist into adulthood, particularly among women who have experienced chronic adversity and trauma. This study explored the lived experiences of six Filipino women mental health clients residing in the Sanctuary Center, a residential care facility in the Philippines, which caters to women with mental illness and reported to have histories of adverse childhood experiences. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study examined how participants made sense of their childhood trauma, recovery experiences, and aspirations for independent living. The analysis was informed by culturally and contextually sensitive perspectives that considered the influence of family relationships, Filipino cultural values, and gendered experiences on participants’ meaning-making processes. The findings were categorized under four superordinate themes: (1) The Psychological Imprint of Childhood Trauma, (2) The Journey Towards Safety and Self-Redemption, (3) Envisioning Life Beyond Trauma, and (4) Ongoing Vulnerability, Relational Strain, and the Need for Trauma-Informed Support. These themes identified that participants experienced prolonged exposure to abuse and neglect, which resulted in deep emotional wounds, internalized suffering, and long-term relational challenges. When participants entered the structured environment of a residential care facility, they found safety, relational validation, and the opportunity to develop skills and become productive. Participants began to develop proactive coping strategies, a sense of agency, and aspirations for independence. Recovery, however, was non-linear as participants continued to experience emotional triggers, relational insecurity, and systemic gaps in trauma-informed care, particularly when transitioning back into their communities. This study suggests that recovery from ACE-related trauma is a relational and systemic process that requires trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and gender-sensitive care across both residential and community settings to provide for the sustainability of healing and dignity for Filipino women.