Early trauma and associations with altruistic attitudes and behaviours among young adults

Abstract

Background: Childhood and adolescent traumas are exceptionally prevalent worldwide. Despite their high prevalence and substantial impact, little research has investigated the rates and specific types of early trauma by gender. It is also unknown whether the types of early trauma are differentially associated with heightened or hindered prosocial attitudes and behaviours. Objective: To address this gap, this study aims to explore the rates of different types of early trauma (i.e., abuse: sexual, physical, and emotional; neglect: physical and emotional) among young Australian adults and investigate whether these differ according to participant gender (female, male and transgender/gender diverse). The study will also examine the associations between the different types of early trauma and current altruistic attitudes and behaviours (including the affective, behavioural and cognitive altruism domains), among a young adult Australian cohort. Methods: Cross-sectional data was collected from 511 young Australians aged 18-20 years using an online self-report survey. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that transgender/gender diverse individuals were over 3-times more likely to experience all types of maltreatment than females and over 3-times more likely to experience emotional and sexual abuse and emotional neglect than males. Experiencing one or more trauma types was negatively associated with the cognitive domain of altruism, experiencing physical neglect was associated with the affective domain, and having a family member involved in domestic violence was associated with the behavioural domain, after controlling for gender. Conclusions: Findings show how early traumatic experiences can influence individuals' attitudes and behaviours during the pivotal developmental period of young adulthood.

Childhood trauma and other formative life experiences predict environmental engagement

“…We asked participants to answer questions about experiences in nature (4 items, 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree), travel experiences (2 items, 0 = no and 1 = yes), trauma as a child (8 items, 0 = no and 1 = yes). Please note for the trauma index we include a poverty item based on the logic employed by scholars who categorize neglect or the "absence of provision of basic needs such as food or a safe home environment: as existing under the broad category of childhood and adolescent trauma" 43,48 . Moreover, scholars have shown how growing up poor can be traumatic for some and may be associated with social rejection 49 .…”

“…Finally, our results also suggest that many American adults who engage environmentally have overcome adversity. Scholars have documented variables that can support someone after they have experienced trauma, such as social support 33,43 . Our findings indicate a possible need for more trauma-informed resources and social support programs for those who engage.…”

“…Importantly, evidence also suggests that experiencing childhood trauma is associated with aggression, drug use, criminal pathology, and suicide ideation 42,43 . For example, one cluster of studies found negative associations between experiencing trauma and pro-social behavior measured in the form of cognitive, affective, and behavioral attitudes towards altruism 43,44 , though in non-representative samples 44 . As such, we might also expect childhood trauma to be associated with less environmental concern or pro-environmental behavior.…”

“…As such, we might also expect childhood trauma to be associated with less environmental concern or pro-environmental behavior. Yet, research on childhood trauma focuses disproportionately on negative outcomes, and few studies have examined relationships between past traumatic experiences and care for the environment 32,33,36,43,44 . Trauma is also highly variable and contextual, and 32,36 ; as such, we need more information on how it operates in relation to environmental engagement.…”

Exploring the Impacts of Preventative Health Behaviors with Respect to COVID-19: An Altruistic Perspective

“…Wang et al found that the main reason for adolescents to comply with social distancing norms is to protect others rather than to protect themselves, which is a manifestation of altruistic behavior [11]. Altruistic behavior is voluntary behavior that benefits others [12]. However, altruism is not always opposed to self-interest.…”