Exposure to potentially traumatic events in early childhood: differential links to emergent psychopathology

Abstract

Objective To examine associations between exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and clinical patterns of symptoms and disorders in preschool children. Method Two hundred and thirteen referred and non-referred children, ages 24 to 48 months (MN = 34.9, SD = 6.7 months) were studied. Lifetime exposure to PTEs (family violence and non-interpersonal events) and recent stressful life events were assessed with the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) and Child Life Events Scale. Child psychiatric symptoms and disorders were assessed with parent-reports in the PAPA, a comprehensive, developmentally sensitive interview. Sociodemographic risk, parental anxiety and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression, Beck Anxiety Inventory), and child developmental level (Mullen Scales of Early Learning) also were assessed. Results Violence exposure was broadly associated with psychiatric status in the areas of depression, separation anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and conduct problems, whereas potentially traumatic non-interpersonal exposure was associated with phobic anxiety. The majority of the associations between violence exposure and preschoolers’ symptoms were significant even when other key factors, including economic disadvantage and parental mood and anxiety symptoms, were controlled statistically. However, parental depressive/anxious symptoms may have partially or fully mediated the relationships between violence exposure and depressive and conduct symptoms. Conclusions Evidence of robust associations between violence exposure and early childhood internalizing and externalizing disorders and symptoms highlights the need for longitudinal prospective research concerning neurodevelopmental mechanisms and pathways. Findings underscore the relevance of assessing trauma exposure, particularly interpersonal violence, to identify young children at risk.

Knowledge Translation Plan to Diffuse, Disseminate and Apply Evidence on Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

“…Several studies using a person-centered approach have identified different profiles of adjustment among children and adolescents exposed to IPV, showing that between 15% and 60% of these population present profiles of resilience in absence of adjustment problems [33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. Across studies, the most significant and consistent factors discriminating between profiles of resilience and psychopathology in children exposed to IPV are maternal mental health, the quality of the mother-child relationship, and maternal parenting skills, together with socioeconomic status (SES) and maternal level of education [32,33,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48].…”

Improving Implementation of Mental Health Services for Trauma in Multicultural Elementary Schools: Stakeholder Perspectives on Parent and Educator Engagement

“…4 Recent studies suggest that 40% of 8-11 year old elementary school children reported having their life threatened 5 and 68% of adolescents have experienced at least one potentially traumatic experience in their lifetime 6 ranging from physical abuse, sexual abuse, and exposure to domestic or community violence. Moreover, children in vulnerable populations such as low-income urban youth and immigrant children have often been exposed to multiple traumatic events and secondary adversities.…”

A Biopsychosocial and Long Term Perspective on Child Behavioral Problems : Impact of Risk and Resilience

“…Definitions of early adversity have differed between studies. Physical, sexual or emotional abuse, divorce or separation of parents, incarceration of a parent, or domestic violence towards a parent are usually included, and these events have been shown to increase the risk for behavior problems and adult depression (Briggs-Gowan et al, 2010;Carter et al, 2010;Chapman et al, 2004). The experience of trauma such as war, sexual or violent physical assault, severe car accidents, natural disasters et c. has a well-known impact on mental health (Javidi and Yadollahie, 2012).…”