Contours of the Contemporary Mind
Articles

THE ENDURING IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA ON ADULT MENTAL HEALTH

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  • Anjali Saroj,
  • Shreya Banerjee,
  • Priyam Adhikary,
  • Dr. Nilanjana Mitra
Anjali Saroj
Student M.A./M.Sc in Applied Psychology, Swami Vivekananda University, West Bengal, India
Shreya Banerjee
Student M.A./M.Sc in Applied Psychology, Swami Vivekananda University, West Bengal, India
Priyam Adhikary
Student M.A./M.Sc in Applied Psychology, Swami Vivekananda University, West Bengal, India
Dr. Nilanjana Mitra
Corresponding Author, Assistant Professor & Head, Department of Psychology Swami Vivekananda University, West Bengal, India
Bio

Published 2025-12-23

Keywords

  • Childhood trauma,
  • adult mental health,
  • anxiety,
  • depression,
  • PTSD,
  • resilience,
  • substance use disorders
    • ...More
    Less

How to Cite

Saroj, Anjali, et al. “THE ENDURING IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA ON ADULT MENTAL HEALTH”. Swami Vivekananda University Press, Dec. 2025, pp. 87-98, https://swamivivekanandauniversitypress.com/index.php/svup/article/view/371.

Copyright (c) 2025 Swami Vivekananda University Press

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Childhood trauma exerts a profound and enduring influence on mental health outcomes in adulthood. A growing body of research demonstrates that early experiences of abuse, neglect, or household adversity disrupt stress response systems, impair emotional regulation, and compromise relational functioning, thereby increasing vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. This review synthesizes empirical findings linking childhood trauma to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders, while also examining the moderating effects of resilience and social support. Evidence from longitudinal and cross-cultural studies highlights not only the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms underlying trauma’s long-term impact but also the protective factors that foster recovery. Future directions emphasize the need for culturally sensitive interventions, trauma-informed care, and longitudinal research to better understand adaptive pathways and inform prevention strategies. The findings underscore the critical importance of early intervention and resilience-focused approaches in mitigating the adverse effects of childhood trauma and promoting lifelong mental health.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788199651555.2026.87-98

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