Abstract
In the process of development and growing up of a person, a relatively large number of events occur that determine their formation as an adult. This aspect implies the physical and psychological characteristics of the individual. The main contribution that is made by childhood trauma can make a significant contribution to adulthood.
Before proceeding to the examination of the impact of trauma on the mental state of a person in adult years, it is necessary to get an awareness of what it is and what it can be. Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, which has many manifestations, can cause a large number of mental problems. Among the most common mental health issues in adulthood are such disorders as post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression, anxiety, and problems with self-esteem and self-worth.
Introduction
People experience many events that may affect their personality and well-being. One of the most significant childhood events that requires attention from researchers is childhood trauma. The seriousness of this event implies that it can have a long-term impact on the mental well-being of individuals and lead to severe consequences that may require prolonged treatment. Therefore, the study of childhood trauma provides an opportunity to realize its contribution to the psychological health of people in adulthood.
What Is Trauma?
There is a relatively large number of studies that provide a definition of childhood trauma. Such source as Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration defines the phenomenon under examination as a severe emotional shock associated with the experience of critical events in a childâs life (âUnderstanding child trauma,â n.d.).
Further, it is noted that at least 1 in 7 children have been treated in recent years, which leads to the formation of childhood trauma (âUnderstanding child trauma,â n.d.). The seriousness of the topic under study is that trauma carries both a physical and mental character. Therefore, the child experiences even more stress, which can lead to more alarming situations, such as the desire to end his life.
When considering childhood trauma, it is essential to be aware of the types in which it can manifest itself. At the moment, there are three groups of this problem, which are defined as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Any events related to these manifestations of the mistreatment of minors can lead to severe mental consequences in adulthood.
It is worth noting that among the most common manifestations of âabuse are household partner violence, substance abuse, mental illness in the family, loss of a parent, and either emotional or physical neglectâ (McKay et al., 2020, p. 192). In most of these cases, a child can get injured even without being a direct participant but only watching from the side. Furthermore, the contribution of these events will largely change from one person to another; however, it cannot be denied with certainty that these problems in the family will remain unnoticed.
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the experience of individuals opposite childhood experiences disrupts both the physical, emotional, and cognitive state. For example, when experiencing physical violence, a child has a difficult-to-perceive conflict between the vision of the parent as a caregiver and a vital figure in life, which at the same time brings such substantial harm.
The same thing happens with emotional abuse when children are subjected to humiliation, rejection, or constant criticism. Thus, not only the perception of parents is traumatized, but also the childâs self-worth and emotional well-being (Archuleta et al., 2023). The most crucial aspect in determining the nature of childhood trauma is the identification of subjective experience since there are cases when the child was not directly harmed, but the events he experienced left a strong imprint, as in the examples with the loss of a parent.
Effect of Trauma on Mental Health
The main problem that the effect of trauma carries is a significant, long-lasting effect, which affects mental health in adulthood. Like the manifestations of these harmful events, the consequences can concern both emotional and psychological well-being.
One of the most common is post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD (Hoeboer et al., 2021). It is important to note that this manifestation of childhood trauma requires the most profound and comprehensive approach since it manifests itself in individuals who have experienced trauma since early childhood. This aspect implies exposure to both physical and psychological violence, which in adulthood causes disturbing memories, flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. This causes deterioration of the individual’s condition, disruption of the processes of interaction with society, and the inability to perform basic tasks.
The following consequence that needs to be considered as one of the main contributions of childhood trauma is the manifestation of disrupted attachment methods. At the moment, there are several styles by which people have attachment first with their parents and then with other people in their lives. Secure attachments are among the most healthy and desirable in the formation and maturation of a person (Riggs & Kaminski, 2019). However, when confronted with childhood trauma, individuals develop unhealthy types that may negatively affect their ability to form healthy relationships. In other words, they may have problems such as a lack of trust, self-confidence, and value, difficulties with creating intimacy, and simply maintaining and strengthening stable connections. These kinds of issues can be the result of problems such as emotional abuse, neglect, and loss of a parent.
Other consequences of childhood trauma that are translated into adulthood are depression and anxiety. This problem can be the result of the constant stress that a child experiences when subjected to emotional and physical violence. In addition, these consequences can cause exciting memories, which can periodically aggravate depressive episodes and cases of anxiety.
Moreover, among the main characteristics that will follow the mental problems discussed, one can single out a constant feeling of hopelessness and anxiety, which also negatively affect the interaction of individuals with the outside world (Ross et al., 2019). It is also worth noting that often, people who cannot find or receive proper treatment for depression and anxiety engage in drug abuse. This aspect worsens not only their physical but also their mental state even more.
In many instances, there is also such a consequence of childhood trauma in adulthood as low self-esteem. It can also go along with problems related to awareness and understanding of oneâs self-worth. In other words, childhood trauma experienced at an early age can cause people to cease to realize their place in society and the significance of their own lives (Archuleta et al., 2023). This is due to the harsh and disrespectful attitude towards them on the part of parents or caregivers, both in cases of abuse and neglect. Thus, many people in adulthood face the fact that they experience difficulties with feelings such as shame, guilt, and belief that they are unworthy. Because of this, they suffer from difficulties in forming connections and relationships, which leads to an additional feeling of loneliness and uselessness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study of the impact of childhood trauma on adulthood provides an opportunity to understand which areas require intervention and the development of policies for the protection and support of children. Difficulties experienced at an early age can impair mental health and then later cause even more significant problems. Therefore, the experienced physical and psychological mistreatment has a significantly negative impact on the mental well-being of adults and requires special attention to minimize these issues.
References
Archuleta, W. P., Kaminski, P. L., & Ross, N. D. (2023). The roles of shame and poor self-concept in explaining low social connection among adult survivors of childhood emotional maltreatment. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.
Hoeboer, C., De Roos, C., van Son, G. E., Spinhoven, P., & Elzinga, B. (2021). The effect of parental emotional abuse on the severity and treatment of PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents. Child Abuse & Neglect, 111. Web.
McKay, M. T., Cannon, M., Chambers, D., Conroy, R. M., Coughlan, H., Dodd, P., Healy, C., OâDonnell, L., & Clarke, M. C. (2021). Childhood trauma and adult mental disorder: A systematic review and metaâanalysis of longitudinal cohort studies. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 143(3), 189-205. Web.
Riggs, S. A., & Kaminski, P. (2019). Childhood emotional abuse, adult attachment, and depression as predictors of relational adjustment and psychological aggression. In The Effect of Childhood Emotional Maltreatment on Later Intimate Relationships (pp. 75-104). Routledge.
Ross, N. D., Kaminski, P. L., & Herrington, R. (2019). From childhood emotional maltreatment to depressive symptoms in adulthood: The roles of self-compassion and shame. Child Abuse & Neglect, 92, 32-42. Web.
Understanding child trauma. (n.d.). SAMHSA. Web.