Childhood Trauma and Emotional Well being

Abstract

Childhood trauma pertains to negative experiences in early life, such as abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence, that have a major impact on a child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development.  These experiences may threaten fundamental psychological processes, impede emotional control, and change the brain’s stress response mechanisms. A research topic was developed to examine the impact of early trauma on later-life experiences.  The meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) standards. 22 research papers were considered based on different domains of childhood trauma, ten were shortlisted addressing emotional abuse, emotional neglect and emotional well being.   Attachment issues, frequently rooted in early childhood events, have a profound impact on emotional development and control over the lifespan. Emotional numbness, hypervigilance, or emotional overdependence are common traits of children who have had attachment trauma, which makes it more difficult for them to build secure and reciprocal relationships.