Written and Submitted by Jane McHowat, Ph.D., FAHA

Today’s children face many challenges that were not experienced in previous generations. In addition to challenges experienced in-person, they are bombarded by information on social media and news outlets, living in an age of unprecedented gun violence, and lived through the recent COVID-19 pandemic with its associated challenges.

Adverse childhood experiences have been correlated with stress-related challenges leading to increased risk of adverse physical and psychological health disorders in adulthood (1). These adverse childhood experiences can range from the extreme (emotional, physical or sexual abuse) to less tangible (parental absence, alcoholism or substance abuse, lack of health insurance, less than a high school education). Regardless of their nature, childhood experiences affect future mental health.

Childhood and adolescence are associated with rapid physical and mental development. The experiences during this time can exert lasting impacts on individuals due to immaturity, weak resistance to stress, and poor adaptability and tolerance abilities. For children exposed to prolonged or severe early life adversity, the result can be disruption of the brain architecture and an increase in lifelong risk for mental disorders (2). Adverse childhood events are associated with increased incidence of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorders, with more severe childhood experiences associated with more severe negative outcomes.

Childhood adversity is defined as the psychological trauma that develops when an individual is exposed to a traumatic event that exceeds the capacity to cope. Not all adversities result in the same response. The experience of adversity varies depending on factors such as the number, type and duration of the adversity, the age of the child, exacerbating factors such as poor physical health, and the level of support provided. Research shows that these experiences are directly correlated with increased incidence of adult depression, suicide attempts, anxiety, substance abuse, alcohol dependency and violence perpetration or victimization.

Clearly, the ideal situation would be for all children to grow up in a loving and safe environment. There are strategies and resources that can be leveraged to support children in challenging situations. Childhood trauma necessitates early intervention and support from parents, school and communities. Young adults at risk of mental health challenges because of childhood trauma benefit from early personality development and prevention techniques, such as lowering sensitivity to future traumatic events. Treatment options such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive restraint therapy may help with personality development (3). When children suffer a setback, parents and support systems should listen to their thoughts, transmit positive values, discuss sides of a story and work on maladaptive responses such as self-blame and shirking of responsibility so that they can learn to face challenges rationally and objectively in future.

It is important to remember that different people respond differently to the same stressors and that only a minority of children who experience trauma will develop enduring mental health challenges in the future (4). Older children can mold their personalities and behaviors in response to trauma, especially with early and effective intervention and support. The combination of parental care, school and community support systems, and the expertise of mental health professionals can reduce the effects of traumatic events in childhood and result in improved adult outcomes.

References: 

1. Bellis et al (2019) Life course health consequences and associated annual costs of adverse childhood experiences across Europe and North America: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health 4, e517-28.

2. Felliti 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. Am. J. Prev. Med. 56, 6

3. Zhang et al (2018) Personality traits as possible mediators in the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents. J. Psych. Res. 103, 150-155

4. Boyce (2019) The orchid and the dandelion: why some children struggle and how all can thrive. Knofp Doubleday

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