Long Term Effects Of Early Childhood Trauma

When speaking of early childhood trauma, this generally refers to traumatic experiences that occur to children ages zero to six. Many times, being that infants and young children aren’t able to vocalize their reactions as well and precisely as adults do, it is portrayed as though they are unaffected by traumatic events. Multiple forms of trauma exist, whether it is medical, grief, sexual abuse, or a combination of traumatic events known as complex trauma. Trauma of any sort can have a profound effect on a child’s life and disturb multiple aspects of their development. There are numerous effects on a child who experiences trauma, such as altered emotional responses, cognition, behavior control, dissociation, and self-concept.
Complex trauma
in particular can refer to a range of traumatic events to which a child is exposed, often repeatedly and over time (Courtois, 2008.) Generally, complex trauma involves multiple forms of abuse and neglect; physical & sexual abuse being a very common occurrence among children by their caregivers or families (Courtois, 2008). To begin with, a child’s relationship with their primary caregiver is one of which should promote the importance of trusting others, expressing emotions, and overall healthy interaction. Once this relationship is compromised, the child then gains a sense of those around them. From a young age, a child naturally seeks protection and stability. Once this occurs, the child may then develop a negative sense of the world around them. Therefore this occurrence of trauma in a child’s life can set the groundwork toward a troubled future. From an early age, healthy attachments teach a child how to effectively develop relationships outside of family that once deemed unstable, may tarnish any sense of trust in future relationships.
Those children who are exposed to or experience trauma from an early age often times have trouble regulating and expressing their emotions in stressful situations. Many times reactions to stressful situations are manifested and may be expressed through anxiety, depression, or angry outbursts. This can be referred to as disorganized attachment (Psychiatric Annals, 2005.) For instance, a new experience or activity may serve as a trigger and cause erratic behavior. Furthermore, young children with histories of complex trauma are at risk for failing to develop brain capacities needed for regulating emotions in response to stressful situations (Psychiatric Annals, 2005.) After recognizing an emotional state, a child should be able to effectively regulate and express emotions, however a child who suffers from a complex trauma demonstrates impairment in these areas. As a result of experiencing complex traumas, children may suffer from dissociation, that is, thoughts and emotions being disconnected from one another.
The child may appear distant, or detached from reality and his or her surroundings. This can cause a child to be at risk for other forms of trauma and difficulties in learning. Additionally, this could present other risks in the child’s future such as deviant behaviors, or participating in illegal activities. Regulating behavior for a child who has experienced complex trauma is another aspect of long-term effects. Certain behaviors may be more prevalent, such as aggression, or being easily agitated, as self-regulation becomes a struggle. This could be related to the up bringing of the child, and being surrounded by a feeling of powerlessness in an abusive environment. In addition to regulating behavior are issues with cognition, or thinking clearly. Children who experience complex trauma may struggle with reasoning or problem solving. Studies have shown that children of abusive and neglectful parents demonstrate impaired cognitive functioning by late infancy when compared with nonabused children (Psychiatric Annals, 2005.) This could result in difficulty retaining new skills or information. They also may run into issues involving attention as they are easily distracted by reactions to trauma reminders. Some children who have faced complex trauma may have difficulty in the learning environment and require additional
support. Lastly, self-concept, or finding one’s own identity is something that begins to develop as early as 18 months (Psychiatric Annals, 2005.) Generally, a child observes and learns what it means to know self worth from those closest to them, such as family or a caregiver. Proper caretaking, and positive life experiences from early childhood encourages children to develop a sense of self worth and value. When a relationship between the caregiver and child is compromised, such as by abuse or neglect, this can result in the child having a distorted view of self and those around them. In order to live a healthy and positive life, a child first and foremost must learn their value and worth in the world. A child who is raised in an abusive or neglectful environment will be unable to thrive to their full capacity as they must be able to demonstrate beliefs about themselves, reasoning & problem-solving skills, and positive expectations.