Childhood Trauma

Some people may think that baby or a child would not understand the shouting, the cursing, the bullies, or even our lie. We may assume that our stress is ours and it will never transfer to our little ones. We assumed that children will not remember anything when they grow up. Unfortunately, all of these assumptions are wrong. Although adults might not have vivid memories of tragic events during childhood, these adversities can surprisingly do more harm than good for you in terms of your mental and physical health. It shapes how you could become as an adult (Berkeley, 2016). The child was wounded and so the adult is. Childhood trauma has become one of the most discussed topics in the medical world nowadays. “However, this topic was not broadly recognised until 1966 when Vivian M. Rakoff, Canadian psychiatrist, and her research team published one of the first studies about intergenerational trauma in that year in which reported high rates of psychological distress among children of Holocaust survivors” (DeAngelis T, 2019). From that moment onwards, the studies have been extended to holocaust survivors and their offspring’s anxiety, depression, and PTSD throughout their lifespans by various researchers (DeAngelis T, 2019). In this article review, we will explore what exactly childhood trauma is and the effects of childhood trauma on our physical health, mental health, and human behaviour.

“Childhood trauma is life-threatening, scary, dangerous, abusive, neglect, violent which can give a child long-term impact mentally and physically” (APA, 2008; NTCSN, n.d.). 

In addition, there are more characteristics that we have to take into consideration about childhood trauma which are;

1. Childhood trauma is experienced by a child at any age and anytime during 0 - 18 years of old (APA, 2008). The study on Prenatal Maternal Stress Programs Infant
Stress Regulation reported that childhood trauma can be experienced even in the utero which will be discussed later (Davis, E.P., Glynn, et al., 2011).

2. A child can experience the situation directly (as a victim) or indirectly (as a witness) or, in the worst case, both (APA, 2008).

Childhood trauma can come in a form of domestic abuse and neglect which can highly exhibit negative impacts on the emotional wellbeing of the children. Examples of abusive experiences are sexual abuse, physical abuse or verbal abuse. This can include parents’ abusive relationship, drug addiction and alcohol addictive behaviour. Parents or primary caretaker’s suicidal attempts and ideation can also be devastated and overwhelmed for the children which can be considered as a type of childhood trauma. Furthermore, poverty, natural disaster and school violence can contribute to childhood trauma. etc (NTCSN, n.d.). Terrorism and abduction are also childhood trauma (Copeland, 2008).

The negative impact of childhood trauma is lifelong (Wadhwa P.D. et al., 2001). Childhood traumatic events can intervene with our mental and physical development (Greenberg D.M., et al, 2018). Recent studies have shown that the adverse effects of childhood experiences in adults can cause chronic diseases and many more mental and physical disorders when they get older (FelittiV.J., Anda R.F, 2019). There are multiple pieces of research that are specifically conducted to explore more about the impacts of childhood trauma on human development, child psychology, mental health, physical health, etc.

In serious abusive cases, the study on Adverse Childhood Experiences (AEC) suggested that childhood abuse can lead to major chronic diseases and early death such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arthritis, heart failure, heart attack, osteoporosis, stroke, autoimmune disease, etc (Felitti V.J., Anda R.F., et al, 2019). A long-term study by Brian Draper and a team of researchers stated that childhood abuse is also the cause of mental disorders at a later stage of life (Draper B.D., et al., 2008). It is also mentioned in the same study that childhood trauma is the potential cause of gynaecological problems, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome for physical health problems (Draper B.D., et al., 2008). Sexual abuse and physical abuse are considered consequential factors for the higher possibility for three or more physical health problems (Draper B.D., et al., 2008). An unborn baby is already at risk of physical defect even before birth if they are exposed to stress from the mother during prenatal gestation (Wadhwa P.D. et al., 2001; Davis, E.P., et al.,2011). According to the report from the Government of Australian Capital Territory (ACT), a trauma in utero can disturb the development of the baby in the womb which results in low birth weight, head circumference and neurobehavioral abnormalities during gestation (ACT, n.d.). There is a strong cortisol hormonal linkage between mother and baby during the late second and third trimester of pregnancy (Davis, E.P., et al., 2011).

Metal health is highly at risk too. In the same way, a person who suffered from childhood disruption can highly be affected by negative impacts for the whole lifespan. Adults may face one or more of the following mental issues; anxiety disorders, eating disorders, sexual disorders, depression, suicidal behaviour and substance abuse (Draper B.D., et al., 2008). Victims or witnesses of abusive behaviour are prone to borderline personality disorder (Brodsky B.S., et al., 2001). The study led by William E. Copeland reported that the children who have been continuously exposed to traumatic life events until 16 years of age have a higher tendency to have psychiatric disorders (Copeland, W.E., et al., 2018). An unborn baby could suffer from brain development disruption in utero and after birth. After birth, the baby is at risk of various effects which are learning capacity, emotional regulation and attachment issues (Davis, E.P., et al., 2011).

Regarding to the effects of childhood adversity on human behaviour, childhood adversity can disturb a proper transition and development to adulthood (Copeland, W.E., et al., 2018). It can be recognised as unsuccessful career life and withdrawing from common friends and family circles (Copeland W.E., 2018). Young boys can so violent at school if they have experienced traumatic events during their childhood (Gamble J., 2018). In addition, eating disorders, lack of interest in day-to-day activities, high impulsivity and aggression are also the outcomes of poor childhood treatment (APA, 2008; Brodsky B.S., et al., 2001). High impulsivity and aggression score is shown in participants who have experienced child abuse (Brodsky B.S., et al., 2001). These two factors are crucially associated with suicide attempts (Brodsky B.S., et al., 2001). Moreover, it is found that sexual and physical abuse can be potential causes of lifetime suicidality (Draper B.D., et al.,2008). Another research published by the American Journal of Psychiatry also confirmed that abusive exposure and suicidal attempt are notably associated. Early adversity results in self-destructive behaviour (Brodsky B.S., et al., 2001). One suicidal attempt is the minimum number of attempt

each person with abusive experience have exhibited (Brodsky B.S, et al., 2001). The statistics show that 41% of the children and adolescents with childhood trauma have suicidal thoughts where only 24% of the children and adolescents with no childhood trauma show signs of suicidal thoughts (SAMHSA, 2018). 23% of the children and adolescents with childhood trauma have suicide attempts where only 13% of the children and adolescents with no childhood trauma have suicide attempts (SAMHSA, 2018). Alcohol and drug use are also the consequence of childhood maltreatment. Adults with childhood abuse are potentially addicted to alcohol at a severe level in a later stage of life (Draper B.D., et al., 2008).

Nowadays, the number of people suffering from childhood trauma is not decreasing as we want it to be. In 2018, The National Council of Behavioural Health stated that 223.4 million adults in the U.S. have had a traumatic event of some kind at least once in their lifetime (NCBH, 2018). That is 70% of the whole U.S. population (NCBH, 2018). In Thailand, the statistics from 2015-2016 shows that approximately 470,000 children under 14 years old were the victim of severe physical abuse at home only in a single year (TCIJ, 2019). However, only 3,266 victims reported these dangerous incidents to the authority via the government’s helpline 1330 (TCIJ, 2019). Growing up in Asian-oriented culture has given me the confidence to say that the low rate of unreported cases and violent behaviours are significantly due to a strong masculinity background. Covid-19 pandemic has made the situation worse. The number of domestic violence is on the rise globally during the pandemic. “In the United Kingdom, 14 women and 2 children were murdered in the first 3 weeks of COVID-19 lockdowns, the highest figures in 11 years” (WHO, 2020). WHO further reported that the numbers of complaints and notices made through UK national domestic violence charity have dramatically risen the numbers of complaints and notices after the pandemic hit (WHO, 2020). The data from UNICEF (2020) has shown a high escalation of stress levels in children and adolescents in Thailand regarding their financial situation of the family and massive layoff. As mentioned, childhood trauma can also be built up from external environments such as poverty and financial instability.

In conclusion, we can see that childhood maltreatment leaves us long-lasting negative effects. It can extensively and severely destroy the wellbeing and development of one’s life throughout their lifespan. The negative impacts are worse than we can imagine. Nevertheless, we cannot deny the fact that childhood trauma is inevitable but it is surely preventable. ‘Life experience that is traumatic for one child might not be traumatic for another’ (NTCSN, n.d.). It is hard to expect zero traumatic events during childhood but we can lower the degree of severity especially in the household. Thomas Davin, UNICEF Representative of Thailand has emphasised that family engagement on kids whether it is time or love plays an important role in supporting children’s mental development (UNICEF, 2020). Parents or primary caretaker at home plays an important role in providing safe and secure space for kids. By learning the factors that can accumulate to childhood trauma, we can decrease the possible threats that could harm the children, on the other hand, help creating safe and loving spaces for our offspring to give them a bright future. Children are born beautiful and pure, why harming them?

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References

ACT (n.d.).The In Utero Experience Trauma Before Birth.Retrieved on 5 July 2021 from https:// www.communityservices.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1549761/The-in-utero-experience- web.pdf

APA (2008). Children and Trauma Update for Mental Health Professionals.Retrieved 15 July, 2021 from http://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/children-trauma-update

Berkeley (2016).Why Can’t We Remember Our Early Childhood.Retrieved on 7 August 2021 from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_cant_we_remember_our_early_childhood

Brodsky B.S, et al. (2001).‘The Relationship of Childhood Abuse to Impulsivity and Suicidal Behaviour in Adults With Major Depression’. Am J Psychiatry 158:11

Copeland (2008).Multi-decade Study Found Childhood Trauma Exposure Common, Raising Health Risks in Adulthood. Retrieved on 6 August 2021 from https://www.bbrfoundation.org/content/multi- decade-study-found-childhood-trauma-exposure-common-raising-health-risks-adulthood

Copeland, W.E., et al. (2018).’Association of Childhood Trauma Exposure With Adult Psychiatric Disorders and Functional Outcomes’ .Jama Network Open.2018;1(7):e184493.doi:10.1001/ jamanetworkopen.2018.4493

Davis, E.P., et al.(2011). ‘Prenatal Maternal Stress Programs Infant Stress Regulation’. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines,52(2):119-129

DeAngelis T (2019). The legacy of trauma An emerging line of research is exploring how historical and cultural traumas affect survivors’ children for generations to come.Retrieved 5 August, 2021 from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/02/legacy-trauma

Draper B.D., et al. (2008). ‘Long-Term Effects of Childhood Abuse on the Quality of Life and Health of Older People: Results from the Depression and Early Prevention of Suicide in General Practice Report’.JAGS 56:262-271, 2008

Felitti V.J., Anda R.F., et al. (2019). ‘Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study’.American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 56(6):774-786

Gamble, J. (2018). ‘Masculinity and Violence: Early childhood traumas which lead to violent behavior in young boys’. In BSU Master’s Theses and Projects. Item 69.

Greenberg D.M., et al. (2018). ‘Elevated Empathy in Adults Following Childhood Trauma’.PLoS ONE 13(10):e0203886.http://doi.org/10.371/journal.pone.0203886

NCBH (2018). Retrieved 5 August, 2021 from https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wp-content/ uploads/2013/05/Trauma-infographic.pdf?daf=375ateTbd56

NTCSN (n.d.). What is Child Trauma?. Retrieved 19 June, 2021 from http://cctasi.northwestern.edu/child-trauma/

 SAMHSA (2018).Helping Children and Youth Who Have Traumatic Experiences.Retrieved 16 July, 2021 from http://www.samsha.gov/sites/default/file brief_report_natl_childrens_mh_awareness_day.pdf

UNICEF (2020).Retrieved 7 August, 2021 from https://www.unicef.org/thailand/th/press-releases/ ยูนิเซฟเผยผลกระทบโควิด-19-ต่อเด็กและเยาวชนในประเทศไทย-พบเยาวชน-8-ใน-10

Wadhwa P.D. et al. (2001). ‘Chapter 9 The neurobiology of stress in human pregnancy: implications for prematurity and development of the fetal central nervous system’.Elsevier.https://doi.org/ 10.1016/S0079-6123(01)33010-8

WHO (2020).The rise and rise of interpersonal violence – an unintended impact of the COVID-19 response on families.Retrieved on 7 August 2021 from https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/ disease-prevention/violence-and-injuries/news/news/2020/6/the-rise-and-rise-of-interpersonal- violence-an-unintended-impact-of-the-covid-19-response-on-families