Mikayla Cole

Annotated Bibliography
Briere, J. & D.M. Elliot. (2003). Prevalence and psychological sequelae of self-reported
childhood physical and sexual abuse in a general population same of men and women.
Child Abuse & Neglect. 27: 1205-1222. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2003.09.008
This journal highlights the significant long-term effects of physical childhood trauma in
both men and women, while focusing on standardized tests which serve to evaluate
trauma. It is common that both men and women experience low self-esteem, anxiety,
depression, anger, PTSD, substance abuse, and various other symptoms. Child abuse
effects may carry on throughout a lifetime and cause those to be abused to abuse their
children in the future. Controversy has occurred for male trauma rates in which
researchers believe the results are underestimated. The Traumatic Events Survey
evaluates a wide range of children and even adults to measure potential traumatic
exposure throughout their lifetime. The Traumatic Events Survey includes questions that
help to assess children physically abused begin with the phrase “before the age of 18”.
The Trauma Symptom Inventory has the ability to measure other factors that may be
responsive to the specific impacts of physical childhood trauma.
Child abuse and neglect how to spot the signs and make a difference. Help Guide.
Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect.htm
This article is very informative and incorporates vivid detail. The earlier the child is
abused the greater chance they can heal earlier. This article primarily highlights the basic
information, yet essential knowledge to fully comprehend physical childhood trauma and
neglect. Every type of trauma leaves an individual with everlasting scars. As a child and
throughout one’s lifetime, the individual’s sense of self is damaged, future relationships,
and their ability to perform and function regularly. There is a big difference between
parent’s disciplining their child and physical abuse. Parents insist their actions are a form
of discipline in order for their children to learn to behave. Parents who are physically
abusive are unpredictable as the child never knows when the parents will lash out and
assert control and use fear as a motive. In order to raise awareness, there are several
warning signs to look out for. If the parents have a history of traumatic physical abuse as
a child, these feelings can be repressed, but one can learn to break these habits. In order
to help an abused or neglected child, there are many tips for talking to a child to provide
reassurance and support for the child. It is vital for one to remain calm in this situation
and do not interrogate the child as their safety is the priority.
Davies, S. (2003). The late-life psychological effects of childhood abuse Current Medical
Literature: Health Care of Older People. 16(4),83-87. Retrieved from
http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=3&sid=e329a7cf-
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3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=11445242&db=aqh
This journal primarily focused on the psychological effects of childhood abuse on adults,
particularly those sexually abused. Each traumatic childhood experience differs along
with the impact this experience has on the rest of their lives. The plethora of effects of
abuse in adulthood include: changes in physiological reactions to stressful situations, less
effective regulation of emotions, misinterpretations of others and the world around them,
and a disruption of trust in interpersonal relationships. Childhood trauma has long-term
effects for almost every individual which sometimes include anatomical changes in the
hippocampus of the brain, resulting in cognitive impairment and difficulty using good
judgement. Survivors of sexual abuse may develop identity disorders and become more
vulnerable to others. When being evaluated for one’s health after sexual abuse has
occurred, physical and mental health must also be taken into consideration. Every
individual, no matter the type of trauma, needs support to feel safe and ultimately loved.
The effects of childhood abuse may remain constant over one’s lifespan, negatively
effecting development and relationships in the future. An individual who was abused as a
child is susceptible to depression and a multitude of many other health related issues in
the future.
Dube, K. (2017, May 23). How childhood trauma can affect mental and physical health into
adulthood. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/how-
childhood-trauma-can-affect-mental-and-physical-health-into-adulthood-77149
This article immediately hooks the attention of the reader as the reader is informed that
millions of children face trauma throughout their lifetime. Those who push through their
adverse childhood experiences oftentimes feel shamed or possess a sense of guilt. The
author sited a multitude of outcomes linked to childhood trauma. The adverse effects on
child development leads to a plethora of physical, emotional, and mental health related
issues throughout one’s lifetime. The author references the ACE test as well to provide
further insight to the reader. The author provides the reader with knowledge of how
common childhood trauma truly is amongst both genders, all races, and those highly
educated. Childhood trauma is widespread, however, this particular article provided their
audience with a sense of hope in which the need for change is vital.
Gilbert, R., Widom, C.S., Browne, K., Fergusson, D., Webb, E., & Janson, S. (2009). Burden
and consequences of child maltreatment in high-income countries. The Lancet,
373(9657), 68-81. doi: 10.1016/s)140-6736(08)61706-7
This journal touched on a multitude of topics, however, primarily focused on the
differences of physical childhood trauma worldwide. Although there are differences
between nations, the commonalities of outcomes tend to be very similar. Physical
childhood trauma increases the risk of PTSD, depression, attempted suicide, anger, pain,
 and anxiety in which all can be ongoing. In the United Kingdom, one in thirty children
were physically abused by their parents and were investigated by social-welfare services
responsible for child protection. Worldwide, 80% or more maltreatment is perpetrated by
parents, however, only 5% of children who were physical abused have reported to child
services. Reporting a multitude of maltreatment is advised against by child service
agencies. Children who are exposed to at least one type of childhood maltreatment are
often exposed to multiple incidents. Maltreatment can be considered a chronic condition
in which greatly effects one future. Experiencing physical childhood trauma increases the
risk of behavioral issues. In low-income countries, boys are at greater risk of harsher
physical punishment, while girls are at higher risk for neglect and sexual abuse. Neglect
receives little to no attention between the US and the UK 1.4-10.1% of children or their
mother report the absence of care in which pain is a result. Reports over time have fallen
greatly as under-reporting is more common than over-reporting.
Harris, N. (2014). How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime. [Video File]. Retrieved
from https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma
_affects_health_across_a_lifetime/up-next#t-64599
This TEDTalk, highlighted Harris’ perspective and connection to childhood trauma, as
well as focused on the lasting negative health effects childhood trauma has on adulthood.
Harris briefly mentioned her experience as a child giver and the frequent
misunderstanding of those who have ADHD and those who had experienced trauma as a
child. The Adverse Childhood Experience Study otherwise known as ACE, surveyed
17,5000 adults about previous exposure to “adverse childhood experiences”. The ACE
study changed the perception of many and helped to provide awareness in relation to
toxic stress along with provide those that with a high ACE score with the knowledge,
support, and care they need. Harris concludes her TEDTalk with encouragement to her
audience as she states “the single most important thing that we need today is the courage
to look this problem in the face”.
Heim, C. & Nemeroff, C. (2001) The role of childhood trauma in the neurobiology of mood and
anxiety disorders: Preclinical and clinical studies. Biology Psychiatry. 49:1023-1039.
doi: 10.1016/S006-3223(01)01157-X
This journal emphasizes the impact of stress on an individual who has experienced
childhood adversity and the effects physical childhood trauma has on the body as well as
the brain. According to the National Center of Child Abuse and Neglect, about 700,000
cases reported in the United States revolved around sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.
Early childhood adversity increases the likelihood of vulnerability, anxiety, and
depression disorders. Paired with these negative effects, the activity of the brain has
potential to be greatly altered. Studies have proven that persistent changes in the brain
seem to correlate with that of anxiety and depression disorders. As children are exposed
 to trauma at different developmental stages, the stress that results because of it can vary,
therefore the effects can differ as well.
Heim, C., Newport, D., Mletzko, T., Miller, A., & Nemeroff, C. (2008). The link between
childhood trauma and depression: insights from HPA axis studies at human.
Psychoneuroendocrinology, 33(6), 693-710. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneun.
This journal primarily focused on the anatomy of the brain, while also focusing on a
variety of other associations to childhood trauma. The journal suggested that increased
neuroendocrine and autonomic stress responsiveness would suggest childhood trauma
results in changes at neural systems. The Central Nervous System functions are altered
following childhood trauma, such as perception and the recognition of stimuli. With this
altering structure of the brain, activity is increased in the amygdala. The amygdala is
responsible for detecting fear and preparing the body for emergency and altered
perceptions. This concept of resilience is again noted in this journal and the need to push
through adversity, along with the ability to change over time. Additionally, this article
clarified that childhood trauma is indeed associated with depression and stress.
Depression as a result of childhood trauma is twice as common in women than as in men.
Despite this prevalence of depression and the multitude of treatments available,
successful treatments look different to everyone. 85% of childhood maltreatment goes
unreported and more than 800,000 cases are reported every year in the United States
alone.
Maercker, A., Hilpert, P., & Burri, A. (2015). Childhood trauma and resilience in old age:
applying a context model of resilience to a sample of former indentured child
laborers. Aging & Mental Health, 20(6), 616-626. doi:10.1080/13607863.2015.1033677
This journal primarily focused on the concept of resilience when paired with trauma. The
authors of this journal defined resilience fairly early and somewhat broad in the piece as
“the ability to adapt well and maintain high levels of psychosocial functioning following
exposure to severe or traumatic stress”. As well as defining resilience, the authors dig
deeper and identify predictors for resilience such as a higher social connectedness and a
higher likelihood to be married. Resilience, depression, and an individual’s well-being
have the ability to change over time. A plethora of studies and tests have been done and
created to assess trauma exposure. Both the World Health Organization’s Composite
International Diagnostic Interview Score and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire are
added together to collect data on trauma exposure throughout a lifetime in thirteen
different categories. As expected, the data in the study showed that the more a victim is
acknowledged as a victim the more it is associated with an increase in depression and late
life suffering. The findings thus far have been more basic and vague, however, this has
been acknowledged. With an increase of research, we can gain more knowledge and raise
additional awareness.
Turner, C. (2018, January 23). What do asthma, heart disease and cancer have in

common? Maybe childhood trauma. National Public Radio. Retrieved from

https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/01/23/578280721/what-do-asthma-heart-disease-
and-cancer-have-in-common-maybe-childhood-trauma
The author of this piece highlights the severity of trauma, focuses on the impact of stress,
and the difference between chronic stress and childhood trauma. Turner states that
“trauma is a very heavy and daunting word” in which many individuals have different
perceptions. Toxic stress similar to childhood trauma increases the risk of lifelong health
problems. The ACE test assesses for abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. The
ACE test helps to focus on overcoming trauma for both the child and loved ones involved
and to hopefully reduce the amount of stress and risk factors in the future. According to
the CDC, nearly two-thirds of children have experienced an adverse traumatic event, in
which about 13% have experienced multiple. The adverse childhood experiences have
been associated with a great number of risk factors including: heart disease, Alzheimer’s,
asthma, and long-term mental health problems as well as depending on the type of trauma
experienced. The author concludes the piece in which he argues that trauma is every
individual’s problem. We must work together to improve outcomes and raise awareness
for the children of our future.