心理學sci(The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Mental Health A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis 轉

Introduction

Childhood trauma is a term that refers to experiences in early life that are deeply distressing, and which have the potential to cause long-term negative effects on mental health. Such experiences could include physical or emotional abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, or exposure to violence. A growing body of research suggests that childhood trauma may have a significant impact on mental health outcomes in adulthood, but the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear.

The Study

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the association between childhood trauma and adult mental health outcomes, and to synthesise the results of multiple studies on this topic. The researchers searched multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, to identify relevant studies. The inclusion criteria were studies that examined the association between childhood trauma and mental health outcomes in adults, that used validated measures of both childhood trauma and mental health outcomes, and that were published in peer-reviewed journals between January 2000 and December 2020.

Results

The final sample included 36 studies, representing data from over 50,000 participants. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that childhood trauma was significantly associated with negative mental health outcomes in adulthood. Specifically, individuals who had experienced childhood trauma were more likely to develop mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, substance use disorders, and PTSD than those who had not experienced such trauma. Moreover, the meta-analysis revealed that a dose-response relationship existed between the severity of childhood trauma and the likelihood of developing mental health problems in adulthood. The more severe the trauma, the greater the risk of negative mental health outcomes.

Limitations

It is worth noting that the studies included in this meta-analysis were cross-sectional or retrospective in nature, which means that causality cannot be established. Moreover, some studies relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias or social desirability bias. Finally, the studies varied in terms of the type and severity of childhood trauma, as well as the specific mental health outcomes measured, which limits the generalisability of the results.

Implications

The findings of this study suggest that childhood trauma is a significant risk factor for negative mental health outcomes in adulthood. Mental health professionals working with adult populations should be aware of the potential impact of childhood trauma on their clients, and should consider assessing for a history of such trauma. Early interventions aimed at reducing the effects of childhood trauma, such as trauma-informed therapy, may be beneficial in preventing or reducing the likelihood of negative mental health outcomes. Moreover, policymakers should prioritise funding for research into effective prevention and intervention strategies for childhood trauma, in order to reduce the burden of mental illness in adult populations.