EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES

Abstract

Childhood trauma, i.e., adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), is a public health issue with a lasting impact on the mental well-being of adults. Herein, we present the relationship between childhood trauma and adult psychological well-being through recent literature from 2020-2025 by integrating recent literature from 2020-2025. We sought mechanisms across longitudinal studies, meta-analyses, and clinical trials contributing to the correspondence between early trauma and adult psychopathology. There is evidence to support the fact that exposure to traumatic childhood will significantly increase the risk for depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and suicidal behavior in adulthood. The relationship is dose-response, and repeated exposures to trauma are more strongly related to negative mental health consequences. Neurobiologic processes include alterations in stress response systems, attachment disruption, and structural and functional brain alterations. Stress appraisal, perceived stress, and social support mediating variables explain the strength of trauma-outcome associations. Our results highlight the key importance of evidence-based treatments such as trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and early intervention programs and trauma-informed care. Future studies need to focus on resilience factors, culturally appropriate interventions, and prevention strategies to avert the long-term consequences of childhood trauma on adult mental health.