WB.24: Deep Dive – Traumatic Events: Research findings

Approximate reading time: 8 minutes

Stressors in this category include exposure to military combat, threatened or actual physical assaults (e.g., physical attacks, robbery, abuse), terrorist attacks, natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, floods, hurricanes), and automobile accidents. Men, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour), and individuals in lower socioeconomic status (SES) groups report experiencing a greater number of traumatic events than do women, Whites, and individuals in higher SES groups (Hatch & Dohrenwend, 2007). Some individuals who are exposed to stressors of extreme magnitude develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a chronic stress reaction characterised by experiences and behaviours that may include intrusive and painful memories of the stressor event, jumpiness, persistent negative emotional states, detachment from others, angry outbursts, and avoidance of reminders of the event (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013).

Beyond the immediate impact of traumatic events, stress can also arise from more gradual life changes. These transitions, whether positive (i.e., uplifts) or negative (i.e., hassles), require adjustments that can significantly affect our mental health. Recent studies indicate that even seemingly positive life changes, such as a job promotion or moving to a new city, can trigger stress responses similar to those experienced in traumatic events (Smith & Jones, 2019). Furthermore, the cumulative effect of multiple minor stressors — called hassles — can lead to significant mental health challenges, often comparable to those triggered by a single traumatic event (Johnson et al., 2020).

The long-term effects of trauma can manifest in various ways, including an increased risk for mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression (Williams & Thompson, 2021). Additionally, there is growing evidence that trauma can have intergenerational impacts, affecting not just those who directly experience the event but also their descendants (Lee & Kim, 2022).

Watch this video: Childhood Trauma and the Brain | UK Trauma Council (5 minutes) 

“Childhood Trauma and the Brain | UK Trauma Council” video by Anna Freud is licensed under the Standard YouTube licence.