Childhood Trauma and Mental Illness in Adulthood
Faculty Mentor
Sara Haden
Major/Area of Research
Psychology
Description
INTRODUCTION: Childhood trauma is an issue that is very widespread and experienced by people across multiple domains. The various types of childhood trauma contribute different consequences to the development of these individuals. The lingering consequences range in different types of mental illnesses from minor to severe. Continuing research can assist in limiting the amount of trauma a child endures to prevent lingering mental illness in adulthood. The purpose of this study is to contribute to prior research in addition to further observing how childhood trauma impacts the likelihood of developing a mental illness in adulthood. This particular study evaluates mental illness in young adults that have been impacted by past trauma.
METHOD: In a sample of 53 participants, ranging from ages 18-30 years, the Life events checklist (LEC-5), Negative life events Inventory (NLEI), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), along with the Impacts of events scale (IES-R) were used to gather data. It was hypothesized that there is a positive relationship between childhood trauma and mental illness in adulthood. The hypothesis was tested by using a series of correlations.
RESULTS: The hypothesis was supported and there was a significant positive correlation between childhood trauma and mental illness in adulthood. The LEC correlated with BDI (r = .312, p = .023) and the IOES (r = .400, p = .003). The NLE correlated with the BDI ( r = .447, p < .001) and the IOES (r = .399, p = .003).
Childhood Trauma and Mental Illness in Adulthood
INTRODUCTION: Childhood trauma is an issue that is very widespread and experienced by people across multiple domains. The various types of childhood trauma contribute different consequences to the development of these individuals. The lingering consequences range in different types of mental illnesses from minor to severe. Continuing research can assist in limiting the amount of trauma a child endures to prevent lingering mental illness in adulthood. The purpose of this study is to contribute to prior research in addition to further observing how childhood trauma impacts the likelihood of developing a mental illness in adulthood. This particular study evaluates mental illness in young adults that have been impacted by past trauma.
METHOD: In a sample of 53 participants, ranging from ages 18-30 years, the Life events checklist (LEC-5), Negative life events Inventory (NLEI), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), along with the Impacts of events scale (IES-R) were used to gather data. It was hypothesized that there is a positive relationship between childhood trauma and mental illness in adulthood. The hypothesis was tested by using a series of correlations.
RESULTS: The hypothesis was supported and there was a significant positive correlation between childhood trauma and mental illness in adulthood. The LEC correlated with BDI (r = .312, p = .023) and the IOES (r = .400, p = .003). The NLE correlated with the BDI ( r = .447, p < .001) and the IOES (r = .399, p = .003).