The Impact of Trauma on Emotion Development in Childhood
Throughout history, children have been subjected to diverse traumas in their homes by their parents, caregivers, and “trusted” adults. Experiencing these traumas can hinder a growing child’s development in their emotion regulation, their attachment styles, and their mental health. Experiencing trauma may impede emotion development in children and adolescents. Thus, this presentation will review four research trends in childhood emotion development impeded by trauma. First, children may be subjected to betrayal trauma in their own households, most often by their mothers. Next, domestic violence trauma in childhood predicts concurrent co-morbid mental health disorders. Moreover, children experiencing sexual abuse trauma have been linked to developing insecure or disorganized attachment styles. Finally, experiencing trauma in childhood is negatively linked with children’s emotion regulation development. Maternal betrayal trauma and negative parenting styles are revealed in the psychological and emotional distress which these children experience at home. Early exposure to household violence and intimate partner violence is likely to derail children’s emotional well-being. Children experiencing sexual abuse have been associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, along with psychological challenges and distress. Emotion regulation is a common concern found among children experiencing diverse traumas. Future directions in research will be reviewed, including the need to explore parent education regarding building a healthy and nurturing environment for children so they may be provided with safe and encouraging emotional growth in the face of life’s challenges.
PSY 499, Senior Capstone
Mary Ann Winter-Messiers
Bucher Room (view livestream here)
3 – 3:30 PM