argumentative essay on trauma

Childhood Trauma

1 the impact of childhood trauma on attachment and self-esteem.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to test the association with childhood emotional abuse. The purpose was to test whether the association with childhood emotional abuse was either positive towards being fearful or negative towards having a secure attachment. Understanding Childhood Emotional Abuse and Attachment Five hundred and fifty-four undergrad students participated in this […]

2 Childhood Trauma Sensitive Approaches to Education

Introduction I am currently working in a self-contained behavior classroom as a Special Ed. Instructional Assistant in Milwaukie, Oregon. We currently have eight students in K-2nd grade. Our district divides the behavior classrooms into two levels: Elementary K-2nd grade and Intermediate 3rd-5th grade, and they are housed in various elementary schools in the district. In […]

3 The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Brain Development and Function

Abstract current article will provide an overview of the research literature on how trauma impacts brain development. An exploration of trauma is outlined, as well as the sources of childhood trauma. Understanding how the brain develops and how trauma impacts this development provides the means to better understand traumatized children. This article is a literature […]

Get Qualified Writing Assistance and an Original Paper.

A qualified writer will create a clear, plagiarism-free essay for you!

4 The Impact of Early Childhood Trauma on Family and Marriage Relationships

Introduction One of the major aspects to look at when researching trauma and how it can affect family and marriage relationships is what early childhood trauma can cause later, further down the line. When a parent or caregiver openly rejects the child or is not responsive to the needs of the child, it is possible […]

5 Unraveling the Impact of Unresolved Childhood Trauma on Adult Well-being

Introduction If a child experiences trauma, it should not be surprising that traumatic problems may still be present into adulthood. It could bring up and ruin happiness, relationships, or any area of adult life. Maybe they haven’t been feeling themselves lately. And they’ve been wondering: Am I suffering from unresolved childhood trauma? They thought it […]

Home — Essay Samples — Psychology — Childhood — How Childhood Traumatic Experiences Affect Mental Health Problems in Adulthood

How Childhood Traumatic Experiences Affect Mental Health Problems in Adulthood

Categories: Adulthood Childhood Trauma

About this sample

Words: 2756 |

14 min read

Published: Dec 3, 2020

Words: 2756 | Pages: 6 | 14 min read

Introduction.

Babbel, S. for Psychology Today (2011) The Lingering Trauma of Child Abuse. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/somatic-psychology/201104/the-lingering-trauma-child-abuse (Accessed 10/12/18).
Bostan, S. N. (2017) How Trauma in Childhood Affects the Brain. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/greater-the-sum-its-parts/201703/how-trauma-in-childhood-affects-the-brain (Accessed 10/01/19)
Brodsky, B., Oquendo, M., Ellis, S., Haas, G., Malone, K., John Mann, J. (2001) ‘The Relationship of Childhood Abuse to Impulsivity and Suicidal Behaviour in Adults with Major Depression’, American Journal of Psychiatry, 158 (2001) 1871-1877.
Chapman, D., Whitfield, C., Felitti, V., Dube, S., Edwards, V., Anda, R. (2003) ‘Adverse childhood experiences and the risk of depressive disorders in adulthood’, Journal of Affective Disorders, 82 (2004) 217-225
Finkelhor, D. (2008) Childhood victimization: violence, crime, and abuse in the lives of young people. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Flegr, J. (2007) ‘Effects of Toxoplasma on Human Behaviour’, Schizophrenia Bulletin, 33 (3), pp. 757-760.
Higley, J. D., Thompson, W. W., Champoux, M., Goldman, D., Hasert, M. F., Kraemer, G. W., Scanlan, J. M., Linnolia, M. (1993) ‘Paternal and maternal genetic and environmental contributions to cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)’, Archives of General Psychiatry, 50 (8), pp. 615-623.
Knight, C. (2008) Introduction to Working with Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma: Techniques and Strategies. California: Brooks Cole.
Marsh, S. (2017) Ambulance call-outs for mental health patients in England soar by 23%. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/13/ambulance-call-outs-mental-health-patients-soar-23-per-cent (Accessed 26/11/18).
Mental Health Connection (2019) Recognise Trauma: Change a Child’s Future. Available at: http://www.recognizetrauma.org/statistics.php (Accessed 10/01/19)
NHS (2016) Borderline personality disorder. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-depression/ (Accessed 21/01/19)
NHS (2016) Clinical depression. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-depression/ (Accessed 21/01/19)
NHS (2018) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/ (Accessed 21/01/19)
NSPCC (2018) Child abuse and neglect. Available at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/ (Accessed 18/12/18).
O’Connor, L. (2012) What if We're Wrong About the 'Cause' of Mental Illness? Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/our-empathic-nature/201203/what-if-were-wrong-about-the-cause-mental-illness (Accessed 10/12/18).
Roy, A. (1999) ‘Childhood trauma and depression in alcoholics: relationship to hostility’, Journal of Affective Disorders, 56 (2-3), pp. 215-218.
Shaw, P., Kabani, N. J., Lerch, J. P., Eckstrand, K., Lenroot, R., Gogtay, N., Greenstein, D., Clasen, L., Evans, A., Rapoport, J. L., Giedd, J. N., Wise, S. P. (2008) ‘Neurodevelopmental Trajectories of the Human Cerebral Cortex’, Journal of Neuroscience, 28 (14), pp. 3586-3594.
Toweel-Moore, S. (2018) How childhood trauma affects the developing brain and what you can do to help. Available at: https://www.livingandloving.co.za/child/childhood-trauma-affects-developing-brain-can-help (Accessed 10/01/19)

Should follow an “upside down” triangle format, meaning, the writer should start off broad and introduce the text and author or topic being discussed, and then get more specific to the thesis statement.

Provides a foundational overview, outlining the historical context and introducing key information that will be further explored in the essay, setting the stage for the argument to follow.

Cornerstone of the essay, presenting the central argument that will be elaborated upon and supported with evidence and analysis throughout the rest of the paper.

The topic sentence serves as the main point or focus of a paragraph in an essay, summarizing the key idea that will be discussed in that paragraph.

The body of each paragraph builds an argument in support of the topic sentence, citing information from sources as evidence.

After each piece of evidence is provided, the author should explain HOW and WHY the evidence supports the claim.

Should follow a right side up triangle format, meaning, specifics should be mentioned first such as restating the thesis, and then get more broad about the topic at hand. Lastly, leave the reader with something to think about and ponder once they are done reading.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

Expert in: Life Psychology Nursing & Health

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 715 words

2 pages / 820 words

6 pages / 2596 words

3 pages / 1369 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

How Childhood Traumatic Experiences Affect Mental Health Problems in Adulthood Essay

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Childhood

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states within an individual, remains a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition. Notably [...]

CIPD. 'Survey Report: Good Work Index 2019-2020.' Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

There exists a place in my world that holds an unparalleled charm and serenity, a place where the humdrum of daily life yields to a symphony of nature's melodies. This sanctuary is not an extravagant vacation spot nor a far-off [...]

Friendship is a fundamental aspect of human life. This memoir reflects on the author's experiences with childhood friends, college friends, and long-distance friendships, highlighting the lessons learned and the power of [...]

As a child, teen, and adult we go through many stages of changes and developments from our physical stature to our emotional stages. Even the way we think can sometimes go from wanting to be an artist when we grow up to wanting [...]

Although we live in an unpredictable world, where families and relationships break. Kids even have to live away from their mother or father. Well, nobody underestimates the significance of parents for a child’s wellbeing. [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

Childhood Trauma - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Childhood Trauma refers to distressing or harmful experiences that happen to children, which may have long-lasting effects on their emotional and physical well-being. Essays could delve into the types of childhood trauma, its short and long-term impacts, intervention strategies, and how support systems can mitigate its adverse effects. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Childhood Trauma you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Children Development

Anyone can experience trauma at any time. The trauma can be caused by nature, human beings or by oneself. People endure much when they experience trauma and their ability to handle it can determine the level of the effect of the trauma and their long-term well-being. Reportedly, children are incredibly susceptible to trauma because their brain and coping skills are still developing. Thus, they often grapple with long terms effects of uncontrolled trauma. While childhood trauma may vary regarding pervasiveness […]

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Development and Adulthood

It is no secret that experiencing childhood trauma can have many negative effects on an individual’s life both in childhood and adulthood. Trauma can include events such as physical or sexual abuse, surviving a serious car accident, witnessing a violent event, and more. As trauma is defined in the dictionary as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, it is no surprise that a disturbing event during childhood can have negative effects throughout an individual’s lifetime. However, this paper will dive […]

Foster Care System Pros and Cons

"Foster care as a whole has become a broken and corrupt system that can no longer keep kids safe under its care. Everyday children are being placed in foster homes facing different forms of abuse, unloving parents, and even death. The system has only progressively gotten worse leaving behind children traumatized to a point where no amount of love or therapy can fix them. To inaugurate, the biggest issue with foster care is the inadequate placement of children in the […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Childhood Sexual Abuse – Preceding Hypersexualized Behavior

Hypersexual behavior is differentiated from paraphilia, or sexually deviant behavior, based on the criteria that hypersexual behaviors still fall within socially normal sexual activities (Kafka, 2010). Paraphilia refers to activities that do not fall within reasonably expected behavior, such as sexual interest in children or non-living entities (DSM-V, 2013). Both are defined as intense and frequent sexual behaviors that bring distress or other unintended negative consequences. This report looks at childhood sexual abuse, commonly referred to as CSA, in terms […]

Traumatic Childhood Memories

Most people are well aware of the concept of repression before ever stepping foot into a psychology class. The notion that a memory can be recalled after years of ignorance is a commonplace assumption, bringing with it the further assumption that it is a well-proven theory with the backing of researchers of psychology. Upon closer scrutiny, both the definition of and support for repression are seen as they truly are—complicated and controversial. The theory of repression originated with Jean-Martin Charcot […]

The Consequences of Homelessness – a Childhood on the Streets

“A therapeutic intervention with homeless children (2) often confronts us with wounds our words cannot dress nor reach. These young subjects seem prey to reenactments of a horror they cannot testify to” (Schweidson & Janeiro 113). According to Marcal, a stable environment and involved parenting are essential regarding ability to provide a healthy growing environment for a child (350). It is unfortunate then, that Bassuk et al. state that 2.5 million, or one in every 30 children in America are […]

Multiple Iimitations in Childhood

The researchers mentioned multiple limitations. While all the children in the study showed improved classroom compliance after implementation of the child play sessions, these changes were limited in a few of the children due to inconsistent compliance issues. Also, the changes made between the baseline and treatment phases was difficult to distinguish because this was a nonclinical sample and some of the children at baseline had only minor compliance issues. Future research should include post-intervention follow-up measures to provide an […]

Resilience through Childhood Trauma Shadows: Understanding and Healing

Within the intricate tapestry of human experience, the canvas of childhood unfurls as a pivotal chapter—a realm where innocence dances with curiosity, shaping the contours of the individuals we're destined to become. Yet, for some, this idyllic canvas is stained with the inky shadows of childhood trauma, casting a pall over the vibrant hues of youth and echoing through the corridors of time. Childhood trauma, a spectral presence, manifests in myriad forms. It is not merely the jagged edges of […]

Reimagining Childhood Trauma: a Psychologist’s Perspective

Childhood trauma, a labyrinthine phenomenon, often evokes conventional responses from psychologists. However, as practitioners, it is incumbent upon us to explore unconventional perspectives that may shed new light on this intricate subject. Traditionally, childhood trauma has been viewed through a lens of pathology, emphasizing its detrimental effects on mental health. While this perspective is undeniably valuable, it overlooks the resilience and adaptive capacities inherent in human nature. Instead of focusing solely on the scars left by trauma, let us consider […]

Childhood Trauma Unveiled: the Resilience and Redemption of Beth Thomas

Beth Thomas, a name that may not ring a bell for many, carries a story of resilience, transformation, and the power of compassion. Born in 1960, Beth's early life was marked by unimaginable challenges that would have left most broken. However, her journey from a traumatic childhood to a life of purpose is nothing short of remarkable. Growing up in Oklahoma, Beth Thomas experienced a childhood marred by abuse and neglect. Her parents, overwhelmed by their own struggles, failed to […]

Additional Example Essays

Leadership and the Army Profession
Why Abortion Should be Illegal
Death Penalty Should be Abolished
The Mental Health Stigma
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Substance Abuse and Mental Illnesses
A Reflection on Mental Health Awareness and Overcoming Stigma
Does Arrest Reduce Domestic Violence
Why Is Diversity Important in the Army? Uniting Strengths for Tomorrow's Battles
Pursuit Of Happiness Summary
Poverty in America
Beauty Pageants for Children Should Be Banned: Protecting Child Well-being

How To Write an Essay About Childhood Trauma

Introduction to the complexity of childhood trauma.

Writing an essay about childhood trauma involves addressing a deeply sensitive and complex subject that has profound psychological and social implications. In your introduction, begin by defining childhood trauma, which can include experiences of abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, or enduring severe hardship. Emphasize the lasting impact these experiences can have on an individual’s development, mental health, and overall well-being. This introductory section should provide a foundation for exploring the various dimensions of childhood trauma, including its causes, symptoms, and long-term effects. It should sensitively set the stage for an in-depth analysis of this critical issue.

Examining the Causes and Manifestations of Childhood Trauma

In the body of your essay, delve into the various causes of childhood trauma. This can range from personal experiences such as physical or emotional abuse, to broader societal issues like war, poverty, or discrimination. Discuss the immediate and long-term psychological effects of trauma on children, which can manifest as anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, or difficulties in forming relationships. It’s important to base your analysis on research and studies in psychology and child development. The purpose of this section is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how childhood trauma occurs and its immediate impact on a child's life.

Long-Term Effects and Coping Mechanisms

Focus on the long-term effects of childhood trauma and the coping mechanisms individuals might develop. Explore how early traumatic experiences can shape personality, affect emotional regulation, and influence patterns of behavior into adulthood. Discuss the concept of resilience and the factors that contribute to positive outcomes in spite of traumatic experiences. This part of the essay should also consider the various therapeutic approaches used to support individuals with a history of childhood trauma, emphasizing the potential for healing and growth. Highlight the importance of early intervention and continued support for those affected by childhood trauma.

Concluding Thoughts on Addressing Childhood Trauma

Conclude your essay by summarizing the key points about the complexities and impacts of childhood trauma. Reflect on the importance of awareness, education, and societal support in addressing and preventing childhood trauma. Emphasize the role of communities, educators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in creating environments that support the mental and emotional well-being of children. Your conclusion should not only provide closure to your essay but also encourage further thought and action on this crucial issue, underscoring the collective responsibility to protect and nurture the well-being of children.

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Presentations made painless

Get Premium

126 Psychological Trauma Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Psychological trauma is a common and widespread issue that affects millions of people around the world. Trauma can result from a wide range of experiences, such as physical or emotional abuse, natural disasters, accidents, or witnessing violence. It can have a profound impact on a person's mental health and well-being, leading to symptoms like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological disorders.

If you are looking for inspiration for an essay on psychological trauma, here are 126 topic ideas and examples to consider:

The impact of childhood trauma on adult mental health
The psychological effects of domestic violence on survivors
Trauma and its effects on brain development
The role of resilience in overcoming trauma
Trauma and its connection to substance abuse
The impact of trauma on relationships and social connections
Trauma and its effects on physical health
The psychological effects of natural disasters on survivors
Trauma and its connection to homelessness
The role of therapy in treating trauma survivors
The impact of trauma on children's development
Trauma and its effects on memory
The psychological effects of war and conflict on survivors
Trauma and its connection to self-harm and suicidal ideation
The role of mindfulness and meditation in healing from trauma
Trauma and its effects on sleep and nightmares
The psychological effects of sexual assault on survivors
Trauma and its connection to eating disorders
The impact of trauma on academic performance and achievement
Trauma and its effects on personality development
The role of art therapy in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its connection to PTSD
The psychological effects of bullying on survivors
Trauma and its effects on self-esteem and self-worth
The impact of trauma on social skills and communication
Trauma and its connection to phobias and anxiety disorders
The role of exercise and physical activity in healing from trauma
Trauma and its effects on emotional regulation
The psychological effects of car accidents on survivors
Trauma and its connection to chronic pain and physical symptoms
The impact of trauma on trust and intimacy in relationships
Trauma and its effects on cognitive abilities and decision-making
The role of medication in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its connection to dissociative disorders
The psychological effects of medical trauma on survivors
Trauma and its effects on parenting and child-rearing
The impact of trauma on career choices and job performance
Trauma and its connection to perfectionism and control issues
The role of spirituality and religion in healing from trauma
Trauma and its effects on body image and self-perception
The psychological effects of natural disasters on first responders
Trauma and its connection to survivor guilt and shame
The impact of trauma on social support and community resources
Trauma and its effects on sexual identity and orientation
The role of family therapy in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its connection to cultural identity and heritage
The psychological effects of military trauma on veterans
Trauma and its effects on risk-taking behaviors and impulsivity
The impact of trauma on coping mechanisms and defense mechanisms
Trauma and its connection to attachment styles and relationships
The role of group therapy in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its effects on emotional intelligence and empathy
The psychological effects of workplace trauma on employees
Trauma and its connection to codependency and enabling behaviors
The impact of trauma on body language and nonverbal communication
Trauma and its effects on social justice and advocacy
The role of trauma-informed care in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its connection to cultural trauma and historical trauma
The psychological effects of medical trauma on healthcare providers
Trauma and its effects on social norms and expectations
The impact of trauma on coping skills and resilience
Trauma and its connection to personality disorders
The role of trauma narratives in healing from trauma
Trauma and its effects on emotional boundaries and self-care
The psychological effects of community trauma on residents
Trauma and its connection to institutional trauma and systemic oppression
The impact of trauma on creativity and artistic expression
Trauma and its effects on body language and posture
The role of animal-assisted therapy in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its connection to intergenerational trauma and family systems
The psychological effects of environmental trauma on survivors
Trauma and its effects on emotional regulation and impulse control
The impact of trauma on social identity and group dynamics
Trauma and its connection to self-compassion and self-forgiveness
The role of narrative therapy in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its effects on social media use and online behavior
The psychological effects of financial trauma on survivors
Trauma and its connection to cultural appropriation and identity theft
The impact of trauma on gender identity and expression
Trauma and its effects on body awareness and somatic experiencing
The role of dance therapy in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its connection to racial trauma and microaggressions
The psychological effects of technological trauma on survivors
Trauma and its effects on social isolation and loneliness
The impact of trauma on community resources and support systems
Trauma and its connection to toxic relationships and abusive dynamics
The role of exposure therapy in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its effects on emotional intimacy and vulnerability
The psychological effects of natural disasters on animals and pets
Trauma and its connection to emotional neglect and abandonment
The impact of trauma on social justice movements and activism
Trauma and its effects on grief and loss
The role of play therapy in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its connection to environmental justice and climate change
The psychological effects of political trauma on survivors
Trauma and its effects on emotional boundaries and assertiveness
The impact of trauma on social hierarchies and power dynamics
Trauma and its connection to intercultural communication and conflict resolution
The role of attachment theory in treating trauma survivors
Trauma and its effects on body image and self-esteem
The psychological effects of medical trauma on patients
Trauma and its connection to narrative identity and storytelling
The impact of trauma on community resilience and recovery
Trauma and its effects on social media activism and advocacy

These topic ideas and examples can serve as a starting point for writing an essay on psychological trauma. Whether you are exploring the effects of trauma on an individual, a community, or society as a whole, there are countless ways to approach this complex and important topic. By delving into the psychological, emotional, social, and cultural aspects of trauma, you can gain a deeper understanding of its impact and explore ways to promote healing, resilience, and recovery.

Want to create a presentation now?

Instantly Create A Deck

Let PitchGrade do this for me

Hassle Free

We will create your text and designs for you. Sit back and relax while we do the work.

Explore More Content

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

Essay Database >
Essays Samples >
Essay Types >
Argumentative Essay Example

Trauma Argumentative Essays Samples For Students

65 samples of this type

WowEssays.com paper writer service proudly presents to you an open-access catalog of Trauma Argumentative Essays intended to help struggling students tackle their writing challenges. In a practical sense, each Trauma Argumentative Essay sample presented here may be a pilot that walks you through the critical stages of the writing procedure and showcases how to develop an academic work that hits the mark. Besides, if you need more visionary help, these examples could give you a nudge toward a fresh Trauma Argumentative Essay topic or inspire a novice approach to a threadbare theme.

In case this is not enough to quench the thirst for efficient writing help, you can request personalized assistance in the form of a model Argumentative Essay on Trauma crafted by a pro writer from scratch and tailored to your specific directives. Be it a plain 2-page paper or a sophisticated, extended piece, our writers specialized in Trauma and related topics will deliver it within the pre-set timeframe. Buy cheap essays or research papers now!

Free Trauma As Experienced By The Victim And The Onlooker In The Bridal Seamstress Argumentative Essay Example

Sample argumentative essay on professional athletes are not overpaid, example of sports argumentative essay.

Don't waste your time searching for a sample.

Get your argumentative essay done by professional writers!

Just from $10/page

Example Of Argumentative Essay On Poetry From The Vietnam War

Example of the yoga lifestyle and its emotional health benefits argumentative essay, the sanity of billy pilgrim in slaughterhouse five argumentative essay sample, advocating for the maintenance of the us drinking age minimums argumentative essay, example of the us drinking age argumentative essay, poly-trauma & blast exposure: a sample argumentative essay for inspiration & mimicking, poly-trauma and blast exposure, expertly written argumentative essay on polytrauma and nursing competencies to follow, poly-trauma and nursing competencies, what kind of attention is tbi getting in professional sports argumentative essays example, should physical education classes be a required class in college argumentative essay sample, should physical education classes be a required class in college, sample argumentative essay on women in prison, introduction, argumentative essay on ptsd and the red convertible.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects people who have been exposed to traumatic disorders such as war, serious injuries or death threatening situations. It is manifested in as a result of the experiences lasting longer. It has various symptoms and effects, among them contemplating suicide. PTSD is very common to our generation; however, what is not known is the reason the suicide rate keeps increasing and why more and more people gain symptoms of the disorder. Studying Henry can help researchers find a different approach to helping soldiers cope when they return from war.

The Red Convertible

Pain and suffering argumentative essay examples.

Placing a cap on “Pain and Suffering” in tort actions is essential; this is because there are many cases that arise from tort actions. Tort action is in itself a civil action or injury that does not arise from a contract. The law for such action provides for some outline of money damages. The actions arise from accidental laws like personal injury and negligence. This calls for a cap on the tort actions regarding pain and suffering. Reforms are needed, for proposals and enactment, to have a clear outset of the nature of tort actions.

Good Argumentative Essay On The Holocaust As Trauma And Postmodern Narrative:an Analysis Of Art Spiegelman

The right to bear arms argumentative essay examples, good example of argumentative essay on should players have to wait till they are 19 years old to play in the nba, or should they be able to play straight out of high school, free argumentative essay about substance abuse in the military, concealed handguns - should adults have the right to carry a concealed handgun: a top-quality argumentative essay for your inspiration, how video games affect todays youth argumentative essay examples, example of nba players should not earn a lot of money argumentative essay, expertly written argumentative essay on claim of policy to follow, abortion: a high price to pay argumentative essay samples, example of argumentative essay on the morality of euthanasia: who has the right to die, gun violence and gun control argumentative essays examples, example of argumentative essay on effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical approaches to mental illness, should talking on a cell phone while driving be illegal argumentative essay, impact of class, gender, indigeneity or ethnicity on the health status of people argumentative essay examples, should texas pass a law to allow college professors and student to carry hand guns argumentative essay examples, example of why athletes should receive big salaries argumentative essay, should america have stronger gun control laws argumentative essay, argumentative essay on drugs and pregnant women, why are babies, who are born to drug-addicted mothers, more likely to abuse drugs as teens and how can this be prevented, promoting health in a client group: free sample argumentative essay to follow, extreme gun control is not the answer: a top-quality argumentative essay for your inspiration, proper argumentative essay example about assessing the impact of slaves narratives on the modern views of the past, example of do the benefits of marijuana justify its legality argumentative essay, changing lives with cell phones argumentative essay samples, changing lives with cell phones, adaptive treatment of great expectations argumentative essay sample, guilty and set free argumentative essay examples, free argumentative essay on biomimicry and sustainability, argumentative medical malpractice essays examples: suits should be limited, free argumentative essay on health policy decision brief, health policy brief, safety argumentative essay sample, business structures & taxation law, example of the reliability of montresor argumentative essay, good argumentative essay about sexual abuse is an incorrigible crime perpetrated against the innocence of our children, nursing homes in the us argumentative essay samples, good argumentative essay on gun control, good example of defining their existence and drawing resolutions to the dilemma argumentative essay, free argumentative essay about do you think medical marijuana should be legal in the united states why or why, introduction:, negative effects of domestic violence argumentative essay examples, argumentative essay on shutdown of seaworld, nazi experimentation during world war ii argumentative essays example, uk demographic change argumentative essay sample, opportunity or threat, argumentative essay on bullying in school, criminal law and forensic mental health argumentative essay, argumentative essay on debate: we could earn peace through the violence, death penalty is not just and fair argumentative essay examples, the link between historiography, social construction and social organization and argumentative essay example.

Many theories have been advanced to explain disability with many of them revolving around biomedical origins. However, sociologists have developed quite a different school of thought. According to sociologists, disability, which can be physical, cognitive, emotional, mental or developmental, is an impairment that can largely be linked to historiography, social construction as well as social organization.

Historiography

Argumentative essay on same sex couples should be able to adopt.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

Knowledge Base
How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

Make a claim
Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
Cite data to support your claim
Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
Highlight the problems with this position
Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Ad hominem fallacy
Post hoc fallacy
Appeal to authority fallacy
False cause fallacy
Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

Choosing Essay Topic
Write a College Essay
Write a Diversity Essay
College Essay Format & Structure
Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

(AI) Tools

Grammar Checker
Paraphrasing Tool
Text Summarizer
AI Detector
Plagiarism Checker
Citation Generator

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved June 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/argumentative-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to write a thesis statement | 4 steps & examples, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, how to write an expository essay, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

Narrating Trauma—From No Words to Your Words

Healing trauma involves transforming the unspeakable into a story you can tell..

Posted December 13, 2020

What Is Trauma?
Find a therapist to heal from trauma

“Trauma defies language; it resists being communicated.” ( Chris N van der Merwe & Pumla Gobodo-MadiKizela)

What is a Traumatic Event?

A traumatic event is most often one that is threatening to the life or bodily integrity of self or a loved one. It may include combat, sexual and physical assault, death of a child, suicide of a loved one, accidents, being held hostage, imprisoned, or tortured, natural and man-made disasters, as well the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.

The Nature of Traumatic Memory

In most cases, the memory of the traumatic event is not like our memory for ordinary events that can be told as a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end.

Traumatic memories are often choppy, disorganized, and non-sequential with little change over time. They are the imprints and shards of trauma that we need to transform.

Having been at ground zero on 9/11, a firefighter struggled with the feel and taste of dust in his mouth and the image of a woman’s head and hair partially buried in concrete.

A rape victim was perplexed in the ER when told she could call a family member. What would she say? She had no words for what had happened.

A victim of clergy trauma who had almost no memory of the details of his childhood abuse, became nauseous whenever he stepped into a church.

Why Are There Are No Words?

Neurobiological Impact

In the acute or immediate aftermath of traumatic events, most people don’t have a coherent story of what has happened because they have been surviving.
In face of danger, our human psychobiology takes over. The right hemisphere of our brain associated with survival behaviors and emotional expression is activated and the left verbal-linguistic part of our brain is suppressed.
With Autonomic Nervous System hyperarousal , we experience increased heart rate and respiration, cold and pale skin, dilated pupils, and raised blood pressure. Our body has prepared us to respond with the survival reflexes of fight, flight, and freeze.
Often misunderstood, the freezing response is instinctive to our survival. It is a form of dissociation, such that time slows down and there is a feeling of an altered reality with pain and fear frozen. For the prisoner, the rape victim, and the child victim—it is the escape when there is no escape.

Psychological Impact

Adding to the activation of human survival reflexes in the face of trauma, there are often psychological reasons that keep us from finding the words for what has happened.

Self-Protection

Months and even years after a traumatic event, people can become so terrified of re-experiencing the horror of a traumatic event that they will avoid any triggers of memory. Protecting themselves from pain with avoidance, they are unable to see in the triggered memory, the dream or flashback an opportunity to “make meaning”—to find the words, to begin to heal.

Protection of Others

Some never put words to the feelings, sensory images, or somatic glimpses of their traumatic experience because they try to protect others from what they have faced. Combat Vets fear contaminating their partners. Rape victims fear shaming their families. Children of the Holocaust experienced the intergenerational horror despite a code of silence.

Social/Interpersonal Impact

In the face of family or widespread disaster, many see so much pain that they overlook their entitlement to bear witness, to put words to their own traumatic experience.

“Who am I to speak ? L ook how others have suffered.”

Described as the “ forgotten bereaved ,” siblings who have lost a brother or sister to suicide rarely feel entitled to put words to their pain. Confused, guilty for not saving their sibling , adrift without parents who are lost in grief , they don’t want to add to the pain. They remain painfully silent.

Finding Your Words— Transforming Trauma

Establish Physical and Psychological Safety

Safety is essential to remembering and transforming trauma. It can be secured differently for different people.
For some, the passage of time allows enough psychological distance and life experience to respond to a trigger with less terror and more capacity to tell their story.
For others, their mastery as an adult serves as the buffer for helplessness and allows them to re-connect with a traumatized self.

An adult finds a voice in a group of child abuse survivors and pieces together what was too much for a child to know.

After sixteen years of silence, a rape victim informs the world by publishing her story.

Utilize Positive Connections

Trauma theorist, Judith Herman tells us that, “The action of telling the story in the safety of a protected relationship can actually produce a change in abnormal processing of the traumatic memory.”

Connection on both conscious and unconscious levels makes it easier to heal trauma. For some, human connection with friends, trusted relatives, or a partner can be the safe context for an unfolding story.
Connection with a professional therapist from any number of models ( cognitive behavioral therapy , trauma-focused therapy, psychodynamic therapy, prolonged exposure, etc.) can be crucial in transforming trauma. Within a protected space with a trusted therapist who is there to listen, observe and contain what cannot yet be fully articulated, trauma can often be glimpsed in dreams , identified in patterns, and remembered in a different way.
Healing in a group is a powerful use of connection. Groups of many types offer an opportunity for validation, bearing witness, altruistic giving, and containing the unspeakable aspects of trauma.
Nothing is more powerful than to see members silently bear witness with their tears or hear someone say:

"Your story is my story — I blamed myself too.”

“You just said what I feel — I couldn’t say it.”

Working From the Body Out

Narrating trauma may start with your body. Given the psychobiology of human survival, what we often cannot say or remember is held within our body.

Exercise, dance therapy, yoga, etc. serve in the reduction of trauma symptoms because they allow the movement we are wired to experience in face of danger and they re-set a positive connection to our personal experience of bodily sensations.
Trauma experts like Peter Levine in his book, An Unspoken Voice , recommend that we work from “the bottom up” i.e., that we attend to the sensations, senses, images, postures, and behaviors associated with the aftermath of trauma to unlock the hidden unspoken traumatic story and release the healing potential.
Creative Modalities Tell the Story

Art, music, writing, and drama draw upon many parts of our brain and in so doing offer expressions of trauma never encoded as words. They are conduits to the healing narrative.

Those writing about their trauma are often driven by a powerful voice that can write of things that can’t be said aloud. In Operation Homecoming by Andrew Carroll, the writings of thousands of troops and their families give voice to the insider’s experience of war.
Many, such as the authors of Narrating the Healing , see value not only in writing one’s narrative but sharing it and reading the narratives of others as a way to experience the complexities of trauma at a distance—as a way to find the words for what was has been too painful to say.

The story that we cannot tell — haunts us but never helps us.

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP, a psychologist and host of “Psych Up Live” on International Talk Radio, formerly taught at Long Island University Post and is the author of three books including Healing Together for Couples.

Find a Therapist
Find a Treatment Center
Find a Psychiatrist
Find a Support Group
Find Online Therapy
United States
Brooklyn, NY
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington, DC
Asperger's
Bipolar Disorder
Chronic Pain
Eating Disorders
Passive Aggression
Personality
Goal Setting
Positive Psychology
Stopping Smoking
Low Sexual Desire
Relationships
Child Development
Self Tests NEW
Therapy Center
Diagnosis Dictionary
Types of Therapy

At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.

Emotional Intelligence
Gaslighting
Affective Forecasting
Neuroscience

127 Captivating Child Abuse Essay Ideas, Research Questions & Essay Examples

Child abuse is one of the crucial problems that has been overlooked for many centuries. At the same time, it is an extremely sensitive issue and should be recognized and reduced as much as possible.

In this article, you will find child abuse research topics and ideas to use in your essay.

Let’s start!

📝 The Child Abuse Essay Structure

🏆 best child abuse topics & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on child abuse, 📌 simple research topics about child abuse, 💡 interesting topics on child abuse, ❓ child abuse research questions.

Child abuse is one of the most problematic topics in today’s society. Writing child abuse essays may be challenging because it requires analyzing sensitive issues.

The problem refers to physical, psychological, or sexual mistreatment of children. It is vital to discuss this acute issue in studies and essays on child abuse.

Before working on your essay, you should select a topic for discussion. Here are some child abuse essay topics that we can suggest:

The problem of child abuse in the US (Canada, the UK)
Child abuse: Types and definitions
Child neglect crimes and their causes
Current solutions to the problem of sexual abuse of children
The importance of child maltreatment prevention programs
Child abuse: Legal implications
Consequences of child abuse and neglect

If you are looking for other possible titles for your paper, you can check out child abuse essays samples online. Remember to only use them as examples to guide your work, and do not copy the information you will find.

One of the most important features of an outstanding essay is its structure. Here are some tips on how you can organize your essay effectively:

Do preliminary research before writing your paper. It will help you to understand the issues you will want to discuss and outline which of them you will include in the essay. Remember to keep in mind the type of essay you should write, too.
An introductory paragraph is necessary. In this paragraph, you will present background information on the issue and the aspects that you will cover in the paper. Remember to include a thesis statement at the end of this section.
Think of the main arguments of your paper. You will present them in the body paragraphs of the essay. What child abuse issues do you want your reader to know about? Dedicate a separate section for each of the arguments. Remember to make smooth transitions between the paragraphs.
Remember to dedicate a paragraph to identifying the problem of the essay and explaining the main terms. For example, if you are writing a child labor essay, you can discuss the countries in which this practice is present. You can also reflect on the outcomes of this problem.
Include a refutation section if you are writing an argumentative essay. Discuss an alternative perspective on each of your arguments and prove that your opinion is more reliable than the alternative ones.
Remember that you should not make paragraphs and sentences too long. It is easier for the reader to comprehend shorter sentences compared to complex ones. You can write between 65 and 190 words per paragraph and include at least 10 words in a sentence. It is a good idea to make all sections of the body paragraphs of similar length.
A concluding paragraph or a summary is also very important. In this paragraph, you will discuss the arguments and counter-arguments of your paper.
Do not forget to add a reference page in which you will include the sources used in the paper. Ask your professor whether you need a title page and an outline too.
If you are not sure that the selected structure is good, check out child abuse essay examples online. Pay attention to how they are organized but do not copy the facts you will find in them.

For extra help, see our free samples and get some ideas for your paper!

Daniel Valerio Child Abuse In the end, it was an electrician who identified the typical signs of abuse in Daniel that finally led police to investigate, thereby exposing the weakness and ineffectiveness of the Dual Track System; the child […]
Ethical Dilemma of Child Abuse In the above example, a nurse has to apply rational judgment to analyze the extent and threats when making decisions in the best interest of the victim of child abuse.
Child Abuse: Preventive Measures My artifact is an infographic that communicates the various forms of child abuse and how to report them to the necessary authorities.
Child Abuse in the Victorian Era in Great Britain This was unacceptable in the eyes of the factory owners resulting in the implementation of the practice of children being sent into the mechanisms of machines while they were still operating since they were supposedly […]
Problem of Child Abuse The most common form of child abuse in America and in most parts of the world is child abuse. The cost of child abuse is dire to both the children, healthcare organizations, parents, and the […]
Physical Child Abuse Usually the child is unaware of the abuse due to the na ve state of mind or innocence. Physical abuse also lowers the social-economic status and thus high chances of neglect or abuse due to […]
Hidden Epidemic of Child Abuse and Neglect Child abuse should be perceived as a form of deviant behavior to which researchers give different explanations: biological, psychological, socio-cultural.
Child Abuse: History and Causes The purpose of this paper is to explore the history, and causes of child abuse as well as the legislation implemented to address its cases.
The Prevention of Child Abuse From the interview conducted with the school administrator of the local elementary school and the director of a local preschool, it is clear that both institutions have some advocacy plans for the prevention of child […]
The Causes and Effects of Child Abuse The main problem of the project is the presence of a number of effects of child abuse and parental neglect on children, their development, and communication with the world.
Child Abuse: A Case for Imposing Harsher Punishments to Child Abusers While harsh punishments appear to offer a solution to the problem, this measure may be detrimental to the welfare of the child in the case where the abuser is its guardian.
Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect Antisocial behaviour is one of the outcomes of child abuse and parental neglect that may be disclosed in a variety of forms.
Child Abuse Issues and Its Effects The recognition of child abuse signs is a very important step as it is wrong to believe that child maltreatment takes place because of the presence of a single sing or poor understanding of child […]
Child Abuse Versus Elder Abuse The second distinction is that older people frequently encounter issues that might lead to abuse or neglect, particularly in nursing homes, such as mental disability, loneliness, and physical limitation.
The Relationship Between Child Abuse and Embitterment Disorder Some emotions, like the dread of tests in school or sibling rivalry and conflicts, are a regular part of growing up.
Trafficking Causes Child Abuse and Neglect The dissociation of children from their families and the exposure to intense trauma they are subjected to during and after trafficking may cause the minors to have attachment problems.
Child Abuse and Maltreatment Discussion Additionally, this may cause a child’s behavior to change, such as making a sad or melancholy face or becoming furious with parents or other adults. When it comes to emotional abuse, a child may feel […]
Impact of Child Abuse on Adulthood: An Idea Worth Spreading A frequent argument of those who do not want to recognize the scale of the problem of abuse in the world is “Beating is a sign of love!”.
Effects of Child Abuse on Adults Second, she was so irrationally averse to the idea of having children that I knew immediately that it would be a contentious point in her future relationships.
Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, or Elder Abuse In every health facility, a nurse who notices the signs of abuse and domestic violence must report them to the relevant authorities.
Child Abuse: Screening Methods and Creating Financial Programs When the reporting is mandatory, it is easy to follow its guidelines which should be carefully elaborated not to be harsh on parents and at the same time offer protection to a child.
Child Abuse Allegations: Multidisciplinary Team Approach In children with allegations of child abuse, what is the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary team approach compared to the non-multidisciplinary team approach on prosecution rates, mental health referrals, and provision of medical examinations?
Criminal Justice System: Child Abuse During the consideration of cases as part of a grand jury, citizens perform some functions of the preliminary investigation bodies.
Promoting Child Abuse Prevention Services in Oahu, Hawaii, and the US The primary goal the Hui Hawaii organization is trying to achieve is to improve the well-being of American children by preventing abuse, neglect, and depression.
Child Abuse in Singapore The second reason for child abuse in Singapore to continue being one of the most underreported illegal offenses is the country’s collectivist culture.
Protocol for Pre-Testing the Child Abuse and Neglect Public Health Policy Based on the above, it is necessary to identify the conditions of child abuse like the quality of family relations and improper upbringing.
Child Abuse: Term Definition However, there is a component that is not so clearly represented in other crimes: a third party, who has observed the abuse or the consequences of abuse has the legal obligation and reasonable cause of […]
Discipline and Child Abuse: Motivation and Goals The first proof of the justice and reasonableness of discipline is that it is permitted by law to be considered to be the most authoritative source to consult.
Sociological Perspective on “Punishment” as a Major Contributor to Child Abuse This is done with the aim of ensuring that the child is disciplined and is perceived as a legitimate punishment. This has offered a loophole to parents to abuse the child in the name of […]
Critical Statistical Data Regarding the Issues Related to Child Abuse Due to acts of abuse children suffer greatly and it will not be wrong to say that these experiences are definitely engraved into the child’s personality.
Socio-Economic Standing and Propensity for Child Abuse Physicians were the first to notice and report evidence of child abuse and neglect in the 1960s. The UNICEF corroborates the relationship of poverty with child abuse, neglect, and maltreatment.
Child Abuse and Culture: Juan’s Case Analysis The following is the list of reflective insights that I came to while getting myself familiarized with Juan’s case and analyzing this case’s discursive implications: When addressing the issue of children being suspected to have […]
Child Abuse: Altruistic Behavior Intervention plays a crucial role in the prevention of child abuse, as it helps to eliminate the possibility of the recurrence of events.
New Jersey’s Bill on Child Abuse and Neglect The legislation’s impact is expected to be large because it is targeted at raising awareness of the pervasive issue of child abuse and encouraging the public to stay active and not to disregard any signs […]
Child Abuse in the UAE and Explaining Theories The interest of carrying out the study on child abuse is based on the fact that it is a critical issue in any society, especially due to the actual and possible consequences on the child […]
Child Abuse and Neglect and Family Practice Model Also, psychological violence can be either the only form of violence or the consequence of psychological or sexual abuse or neglect. Inadequate evaluation of the child’s capabilities and overstated requirements can also be a form […]
Child Abuse and Protective Act in Idaho Also, abandonment is recognized in Idaho’s definition of child abuse, and, according to the Act, it means the failure of the parent or the guardian to foster a normal relationship with the child.
Child Abuse and Neglect: Drug and Alcohol Problems The families of individuals who have committed a drug related offense should be investigated in order to ensure the practice is acceptable and capable of supporting the needs of more societies.
Child Abuse as a Result of Insufficient Policies According to Latzman and Latzman, child abuse may be manifested in the use of excessive physical force when disciplining a child or an adolescent.
Child Abuse and Neglect A church/synagogue/mosque retreat activity for parents and they children can be beneficial in strengthening parents to deal with the issues of child abuse and neglect.
Child Abuse Problem The study of the problem of child abuse has begun in the 60s with focusing attention to children problems. In such a case the early recognition of child abuse is of great importance.
A True Nature of the Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect in a Society The outcomes of child abuse usually depend on a variety of factors like the age of a child, the type of relation between a child and a perpetrator, and, of course, the type of maltreatment.
A True Nature of the Effects of Child Abuse A society is in need of powerful and effective research that can prove the necessity to introduce the issue of child abuse and its effects as a leading problem the solution of which requires the […]
Child Abuse Problems and Its Effects on a Future Child’s Life In fact, there were the three main challenges in writing the literature review just completed that were overcome due to the ability to organize the work, follow the suggestions of the experts, and keep in […]
Effects of Child Abuse The nature of the effects of child abuse, their consequences in a society, and the most appropriate preventive methods should be considered.
Child Abuse and Capstone Project This is why the problem of child abuse remains to be crucial for analysis, as people have to understand its urgency and effects on human behavior.
The Effects of Child Abuse: Capstone Project Time Line The development of a Capstone Project will become a new step in solving the problem and thinking about the possible ways of improvement the situation and creation the most appropriate living conditions for children.
Introducing Improvements to Children Abuse Reporting System The paper is connected with the analysis of the quality of the current child abuse report systems because of the serious problems in the sphere of childcare.
Biological Underpinnings Behind Child Abuse The dimension of the baby’s head is also seen to decrease in quantity from on third of the whole body at birth, to a quarter at the age of two years and to an eighth […]
Cause and Effect of Child Abuse Parental response to the children is also presented in a form of abuse of the rights of the children, as they feel neglected or disowned.
Abuse in Childhood Common Among Alcohol Addicts Dwelling upon the impact of the violence and abuse during childhood, the connection with the further disabilities and disorders is obvious.
Child Abuse and Neglect Children in Court The objective of this paper was to determine the level of knowledge and nature of attitudes among maltreated children who appeared in court during their detention case hearings.
Randomized Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders in Adult Female Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse However, in spite of the fact that there exist a wealth of clinical literature on treatment methodologies of victims of sexual abuse, the evidence base concerning the treatment of victims of childhood sexual abuse exhibiting […]
Child Sexual Abuse: Impact and Consequences Due to the adverse consequences of sexual abuse, efforts to have Jody share her ordeal and get immediate help would be my priority.
Educational Program on Child Abuse The report “Initial reliability and validity of a new retrospective measure of child abuse and neglect” by Bernstein, Fink and Handelsman provides the findings of the consistency and validity of some of the conservative measures […]
Public Health Media Campaign Proposal for Child Abuse
Child Abuse and Lack of Communication in Marriages the Main Factors of Failed Family
The Reasons and Three Most Common Factors Contributing to Child Abuse in Our Society
Child Abuse and Its Effects on Social and Personality Development
Neo-Liberal and Neo-Conservative Perspectives on Child Abuse
Physical and Behavioural Indicators of Possible Child Abuse
Defining Child Abuse and Its Different Forms in the 21st Century
Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
Behind Closed Doors: The Correlation Between Multiple Personality Disorder and Child Abuse
Child Abuse and Later Maladjustment in Adulthood
Modern Beliefs Regarding the Treatment of Child Abuse Victims
Neighborhood Poverty and Child Abuse and Neglect: The Mediating Role of Social Cohesion
The Connection Between Child Abuse, Child Discipline, and Adult Behavior
State the Possible Types, Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse and Why It Is Important to Follow the Policies and Procedures of the Work Place
Child Abuse and Its Effects on the Physical, Mental, and Emotional State of a Child
Child Abuse, and Neglect and Speech and Language Development
Social Issue: Child Abuse and How It Affects Early Childhood Development
Child Abuse Scandal Publicity and Catholic School Enrollment
Physical Abuse: The Different Types of Child Abuse
Promoting Help for Victims of Child Abuse: Which Emotions Are Most Appropriate to Motivate Donation Behavior
Describing Child Abuse, Its Different Forms, and Solutions to the Problem
Child Abuse: The Four Major Types of Abuse, Statistics, Prevention, and Treatment
Causes and Risk Factors Behind Child Abuse
Child Abuse, Cause, and Effect on the Rest of Their Lives
Child Abuse Has Severe Negative Psychological Effects on Children
Child Abuse and the Professional Network Working Within the Child Protec
Child Abuse Prevention and Control: Can Physical, Sexual or Psychological Abuse Be Controlled Within the Household?
Child Abuse and the Effect on Development Into Adulthood
Child Abuse: Victim Rights & the Role of Legal Representative
Child Abuse and the Legal System – Developmental Forensic Psychology: Unveiling Four Common Misconceptions
Parent Stress Factors and Child Abuse: A Tutoring Proposal
Approaching Child Abuse From a Multi-Dimensional Perspective
Child Abuse, Alcoholism, and Proactive Treatment
Adverse Effects and Prevention of Child Abuse
Suspected Child Abuse and the Teacher´S Role in Reporting It
Child Abuse and Its Correlation to Poverty
Sexual Child Abuse Exploring the Mind of the Perpetrator
Relationship Between Domestic Violence and Child Abuse and How to Protect the Children From It
Child Abuse Saddest and Most Tragic Problem Today
Child Abuse and Academic Performance of Children
Why Should People Care About Child Abuse?
Why Should Child Abuse Be Addressed as a Social Problem?
How Child Abuse and Neglect Affect Childhood?
How Has Child Abuse Been Conceptualised and Addressed in Policy and Law?
How to Protect Children From Abuse and Neglect?
What Are the Negative Effects of Child Abuse?
How Is the United States Dealing With Child Abuse Problem?
How Can Therapy Help Victims of Child Abuse?
How Can the Community Stop Child Abuse and Neglect?
When Should Teachers Report Child Abuse?
What Cause Child Abuse?
Does Child Abuse and Neglect Lead To Bullying?
How Do the Government and Society Have a Responsibility to Help Child Abuse Victims?
Parent Support Groups Can Reduce Child Abuse?
When Child Abuse Overlaps With Domestic Violence: The Factors Influencing Child Protection Workers’ Beliefs?
How Can Spanking Lead to Child Abuse?
How the Government and Society Have a Responsibility to Help Child Abuse Victims
What Does Victimology Say About Child Abuse Data?
Are There Any Biomarkers for Pedophilia and Sexual Child Abuse?
When Does Discipline Cross the Line to Child Abuse?
How Child Abuse Affects a Hero, a God, and a Monster in Greek Mythology?
Does Child Abuse Create a Psychopath?
Does Not Get Noticed Enough Around the World Is Child Abuse?
How Can Sexual Child Abuse Affect the Child’s Psychological Development?
How Child Abuse Effects Students Education?
How Do Abuse and Neglect Impact a Child’s Whole Life?
Should Pregnant Drug Abusers Be Charged With Child Abuse?
How Children Carry the Weight of Child Abuse?
Does Child Abuse Cause Crime?
Childhood Essay Topics
Attachment Theory Essay Topics
Child Development Research Ideas
Mental Health Essay Ideas
Child Welfare Essay Ideas
Childcare Research Topics
Alcohol Abuse Paper Topics
Foster Care Titles
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, March 2). 127 Captivating Child Abuse Essay Ideas, Research Questions & Essay Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/child-abuse-essay-examples/

"127 Captivating Child Abuse Essay Ideas, Research Questions & Essay Examples." IvyPanda , 2 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/child-abuse-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '127 Captivating Child Abuse Essay Ideas, Research Questions & Essay Examples'. 2 March.

IvyPanda . 2024. "127 Captivating Child Abuse Essay Ideas, Research Questions & Essay Examples." March 2, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/child-abuse-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "127 Captivating Child Abuse Essay Ideas, Research Questions & Essay Examples." March 2, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/child-abuse-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "127 Captivating Child Abuse Essay Ideas, Research Questions & Essay Examples." March 2, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/child-abuse-essay-examples/.

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Publications
Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

Advanced Search
Journal List
Int J Environ Res Public Health

Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma: The Mediating Effects of Family Health

Associated data.

Data are not publicly available due to IRB protocols for the study.

Family health is important to the well-being of individual family members and the collective family unit, and as such, may serve as a mediator for the intergenerational transmission of trauma (ITT). This study aimed to understand the intergenerational impact of parent’s adverse and positive childhood experiences (ACEs and PCEs) on their children’s adverse family experiences (AFEs) and how family health mediated those relationships. The sample consisted of 482 heterosexual married or cohabiting couples (dyads) in the United States who had a child between the ages of 3 and 13 years old. Each member of the dyad completed a survey, and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Parental ACEs were associated with more AFEs. The fathers’, but not the mothers’, ACEs were associated with worse family health. Parental PCEs were associated with better family health, and family health was associated with lower AFE scores. Indirect effects indicated that parental PCEs decreased AFEs through their impact on family health. Family health also mediated the relationship between the father’s ACEs and the child’s AFEs. Interventions designed to support family health may help decrease child AFEs.

1. Introduction

The American Psychological Association defines trauma as “an emotional response to a terrible event” [ 1 ]. Types of trauma are generally separated into two categories: interpersonal (e.g., abuse) and non-interpersonal (e.g., natural disasters or accidents) [ 2 ]. Childhood trauma subtypes vary in the research; however, childhood trauma scales typically include subsections for interpersonal trauma such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment, and neglect, and subsections for non-interpersonal trauma such as illness or death [ 3 , 4 ]. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-V), individuals can experience trauma in four ways: by directly experiencing a traumatic event, witnessing a traumatic event, learning of a violent or accidental traumatic event that happened to a close family member or friend, or from extreme or repeated exposure to harsh details of a traumatic event [ 5 ].

Additionally, certain demographics, such as race, gender, and age, are important in the study of trauma. Individuals from non-White racial/ethnic backgrounds are more likely to experience trauma than White individuals are, demonstrating the importance of accounting for race in trauma research [ 6 ]. Results for gendered differences in experiencing trauma vary in existing research; however, some research identified gendered differences in number of trauma exposures and different types of trauma (e.g., exposure to domestic violence is more prevalent among males and sexual abuse is more prevalent among females) [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Additionally, research has identified gendered differences in trauma symptoms, specifically symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [ 7 ]. The age of first trauma is particularly important, as it can impact healthy development; for example, individuals who are extremely traumatized typically experience trauma earlier in childhood than those with less trauma [ 9 ].

Trauma experienced in childhood has significant implications for healthy child development and psychopathology in adulthood [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 9 ]. Brain imaging studies have shown that all types of childhood trauma are related to decreased volume of the frontal cortex, an area of the brain associated with reasoning, emotion, and language [ 4 ]. Essentially, the traumatic stressors children experience cause brain injury, increasing the risk of psychopathology in adulthood [ 4 ]. Epidemiological studies often focus on common mental disorders as outcomes of childhood trauma, including internalizing psychopathology (e.g., mood and anxiety disorders) and externalizing psychopathology (e.g., substance use disorders) [ 6 ]. A parent’s psychopathology can increase the risk of childhood trauma among their children, thus revealing the cyclical nature of trauma transmission between parents and children [ 6 ].

Families play a central role in child development and in the intergenerational transmission of trauma (ITT) [ 6 ]. Factors that impact ITT include family functioning, parenting ability, parent–child relationship quality, cognitive appraisal of trauma, PTSD, and severity of a parent’s childhood trauma [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Trauma (including childhood trauma) experienced by parents can negatively affect their parenting ability while also increasing the risk of transmitting trauma to their children [ 14 ]. The purpose of this study is to examine how parents’ trauma, experienced in childhood, measured through adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), when also accounting for their positive childhood experiences (PCEs), affects their children’s experiences of trauma, as measured through adverse family experiences (AFEs). A second purpose is to examine whether the family’s health mediates the relationship between childhood experiences and later childhood trauma.

1.1. Risk Factors for Adverse Family Experiences

Measures of childhood trauma, such as ACEs and AFEs, are key to understanding ITT. ACEs measure an individual’s cumulative experience of various forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction during their childhood, which can be potentially traumatic [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. ACEs are related to behavioral and health problems in adulthood [ 15 , 18 ]. Studies about the role of ACEs in the intergenerational and community transmission of trauma have primarily focused on large-scale trauma such as the Holocaust; PTSD among veterans of war; and historical, systematic, and generational trauma [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. However, as trauma research has developed, ACEs and trauma are now being applied to the general population. Previous findings indicate that parents who experience trauma have diminished capabilities to empathize with their child’s emotions due to an altered perception of the world and the individuals they interact with [ 19 , 20 ]. Diminished parenting skills may result in decreased trust and feelings of safety for their children from a lack of emotional stability [ 20 ]. In turn, children mirror their parents’ instability, and the process of ITT continues.

AFEs items were derived from ACE questionnaires but use an environmental perspective regarding family or household dysfunction and risk factors in the family unit [ 23 ]; AFEs introduced four new items in addition to five derived ACE items [ 24 , 25 ]. While AFE items are similar to ACE items, there are two important differences: AFEs do not include questions about the child’s personal experience of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse by guardians or caregivers, and parents respond about their child’s experience rather than their own [ 25 ]. AFEs provide more understanding of the child’s environmental experience; however, parental ACEs may determine how AFEs exist in families. Exposure to AFEs is associated with negative childhood development, including decreased physical health, mental health, and well-being [ 26 ]. A poor-quality, high conflict, and unsupportive family environment may cause chronic stress to the entire family [ 27 ]. Empirical evidence confirms that the family environment is critical to shaping childhood development, perhaps more than any other environment.

1.2. Promotive Factors for Adverse Family Experiences

Recent research has examined the role of cumulative positive or promotive experiences in childhood, including benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) [ 28 ], positive childhood experiences (PCEs) [ 29 ], advantageous childhood experiences (counter-ACEs) [ 30 ], and various resilience questionnaires and frameworks. Positive experiences during childhood have been shown to promote better adult health even in the presence of high ACEs [ 28 , 29 , 30 ].

In addition to PCEs, a healthy family environment in adulthood may be important to reducing children’s AFEs. Family health is defined as “a resource at the level of the family unit that develops from the intersection of the health of each family member, their interactions and capacities, as well as the family’s physical, social, emotional, economic, and medical resources” [ 31 ]. Better family health could also be viewed as an advantageous family experience, or “counter-AFE”, as it helps to increase the positive experiences of a whole family. However, until the recent creation of the Family Health Scale, there were few measures of family health [ 32 ]. In research using the Family Health Scale, parental PCEs promote better family health, whereas their history of ACEs may harm the family’s health [ 33 ]. Other studies have shown that healthy family functioning (which is related to family health, but focused on family routines and habits) can help increase the positive development of children in the family. This includes joint family activities, healthy parental supervision, and healthy interactions in the family [ 26 ]. Thus, family health may be a pathway through which parental childhood experiences influence whether trauma is transmitted to the child.

1.3. Family Systems Theory and ITT

The family unit is a unique organizing structure of health and well-being, and during a crisis, it may serve as an important mediator for children’s risk and resilience [ 34 ]. Family systems theory provides a framework to understand the role of family health in ITT. Family systems theory posits that family members are interdependent, and one family member’s well-being can have a significant impact on another member’s well-being [ 13 ]. Understanding this interdependence can help explain the cyclical nature of ITT—specifically how childhood trauma can determine later relationship quality with partners and children, which can then increase family dysfunction via negative relationship quality [ 13 ]. Thus, family systems theory represents the interdependence of trauma transmission between all family members.

1.4. Aims and Purpose

There is a gap in the literature regarding family health as a mediator between childhood experiences and AFEs and understanding the relationship between parental PCEs and child AFEs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand the intergenerational impact of parent ACEs and PCEs on their children’s AFE scores, and how family health mediates those relationships. Specifically, this study aims to answer the following research questions: (1) Do parent’s adverse and positive childhood experiences predict their children’s AFEs? We hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between both the mother’s and father’s ACEs and the child’s AFEs, and an inverse relationship between the mother’s and father’s PCEs and the child’s AFEs. (2) Does family health mediate the relationship between parent’s childhood experiences and children’s AFEs? We hypothesized that family health would mediate the relationship between childhood experiences and AFEs. This study is important because it considers family health as a mediator in the intergenerational transmission of trauma by considering the roles of both adverse and positive childhood experiences in the family health of the second-generation household.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. sampling and procedures.

The sample consisted of 482 married or cohabitating couples (dyads) who were living in the United States at the time of the survey. Each couple had a child between the ages of 3 to 13 years old. Only heterosexual dyads were included in this study due to a low response rate from same-sex dyads. The sample was recruited via a Qualtrics panel. To obtain a more representative sample, a proportion of the sample was required to have at least one partner in the dyad who was a racial minority or at least one partner who had less than a high school degree. Each member of the dyad completed a 20 min survey. Approval for this study came from the Brigham Young University Institutional Review Board (IRB), and all participants were compensated with Qualtrics credits. Compensation varied for participants based on the difficulty to recruit certain participants, especially those from minority groups.

2.2. Measures

2.2.1. adverse family experiences.

AFEs were measured using the 9-item AFE module from the National Survey of Children’s Health 2011–12 [ 23 ]. The AFE items were a subset of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) ACE Module created to measure a family-oriented perspective of adverse experiences during childhood. Mothers responded to the questions about their oldest child who was between 3 and 13 years. The items examined family dysfunction and risk factors within the family unit, such as “Did your child ever live with anyone who was mentally ill or suicidal, or severely depressed for more than a couple of weeks?” and “Was your child ever the victim of violence or witness any violence in [his/her] neighborhood?” and “Since your child was born, how often has it been very hard to get by on your family’s income, for example, it was hard to cover the basics like food and/or housing”. [ 23 ]. Response options for seven of the nine items were in a dichotomous Yes (coded as 1) No (coded as 0) format, while the other items were on a 4-point frequency scale from Never to Very often . Never and Not very often responses were coded as 0, and Somewhat often and Very often responses were coded as 1. Responses were summed to create a cumulative score ranging from 0 to 9.

2.2.2. Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire

The ACE items were derived from the BRFSS ACE module [ 17 ]. BRFSS annually gathers data through states in the U.S. by random telephone surveys [ 17 ]. The ACE module includes 11 items that measure risk factors prior to the age of 18. Constructs of the items include various forms of abuse, neglect, and general household dysfunction, such as “Did you live with anyone who was depressed, mentally ill, or suicidal?” and “Were your parents separated or divorced?” and “How often did anyone at least 5 years older than you or an adult, force you to have sex?” [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Response options include Yes , No , and I don’t know for each item. The Yes responses were summed to create a cumulative score ranging from 0 to 8. Separate scores were created for mothers’ and fathers’ ACEs.

2.2.3. Family Health Scale—Short Form

The FHS-SF is a 10-item scale created to measure overall family health, with sample items including: “We support each other”, “We help each other make healthy changes”, and “My family did not have enough money at the end of the month after bills were paid”. [ 32 ]. Response options were recorded on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree , and negatively worded items were reverse coded. Responses were summed to create a cumulative score ranging from 0 to 10. Both parents reported on their family’s health in adulthood at the time of the study. The FHS-SF measure was included in the final models as a single latent variable comprising both partners’ responses. Prior research indicated that the scale is most reliable as a single measure with multiple reporters from the same family rather than using separate measures for each responder and has a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88 when including responses from both partners [ 35 ].

2.2.4. Positive Childhood Experiences

PCEs were measured using the 10-item BCE questionnaire [ 28 ], and 3 items from the PCE questionnaire [ 29 ]. Key themes of these items include social support, perceived safety, and positive and stable quality of life. Sample items included: “Did you have at least one caregiver with whom you felt safe?” and “Did you have beliefs that gave you comfort?” and “Were you able to talk with your family about your feelings?” [ 28 , 29 ]. Response options included Yes or No . The Yes responses were summed to create a cumulative score ranging from 0 to 13, with a higher score equaling more PCEs. Separate scores were created for mothers’ and fathers’ PCEs.

2.3. Data Analysis

Data were cleaned, and item distributions were analyzed using Stata 17. A structural equation modeling framework was used to examine model relationships. Family health was included in the measurement model as a latent variable and showed good model fit based on the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA = 0.051) and comparative fit index (CFI = 0.981). A structural model was fit by regressing child AFEs on family health, father’s ACE score, mother’s ACE score, father’s PCE score, and mother’s PCE score. Family health was regressed on the mother’s and father’s ACEs and PCEs. Controls (child’s age, child’s gender, mother’s age, and mother’s race) were added to the final model by regressing all covariates of interest on the demographic controls. Model fit was examined using the following model fit cutoffs: RMSEA < 0.08 and CFI > 0.90 indicated adequate fit [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Indirect effects were examined using 5000 bootstraps to ensure robust standard errors [ 39 ]. All models were estimated using robust weighted least squares, which is appropriate for categorical data. Missing data were minimal (<1% across all items), and full information maximum likelihood (FIML) was used to account for missing items. The results presented include standardized betas.

Most participants (90.4%) were married, and 12% were in an interracial relationship. The mothers’ mean age was 35.6 years. About 73.4% of the mothers were White, and 14.11% had a high school education or less. The fathers’ mean age was 38.9 years. About 74.9% of the fathers were White, and 17.01% of fathers had a high school education or less. Mean ACE scores for mothers and fathers were 2.1 and 2.08, respectively, while mean PCE scores were 10.98 and 10.91, respectively. The children’s gender distribution was 41.7% female and 58.3% male, and the average age of children reported was 9.75 years old. Lastly, the average child AFE score was 0.92 (see Table 1 for full descriptive results of the sample).

Sample Demographics.

Mean child age (years)	9.75
Marital status %
Married	90.4
Cohabitating	9.6
Interracial relationship	12
	Female	Male
Child gender %	41.7	58.3
Mean parent age	35.6	38.9
Race (White) %	74.9	73.4
Education (high school or less) %	14.1	17.01
Average ACE scores (range 0–8)	2.1	2.08
Average PCE score (range 0–13)	10.98	10.91
Average child AFE scores (range 0–9)	0.92

The final model ( Figure 1 ) had good model fit (RMSEA = 0.042; CFI = 0.963). Both fathers’ ACEs and mothers’ ACEs were associated with an increased number of child AFEs. Fathers’, but not mothers’, ACEs were associated with worse family health. Mothers’ and fathers’ PCEs were not directly associated with AFEs. Both mothers’ and fathers’ PCEs were associated with better family health. Family health was associated with lower AFE scores. Indirect effects indicated that parental PCEs decreased AFEs by impacting family health. Family health also mediated the relationship between fathers’ ACEs and children’s AFEs. However, family health did not significantly mediate the relationship between mothers’ ACEs and children’s AFEs ( Table 2 ).

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is ijerph-19-05944-g001.jpg

Structural equation model: Parental ACE and PCE associations with family health and child AFE. Notes: RMSEA = 0.042; CFI = 0.963. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.001.

Significant family-health-mediated indirect pathways.

Indirect Pathways	Beta	Z-Score	-Value
Father’s ACE → Family Health → Child’s AFE	0.039	2.460	0.014
Mother’s ACE → Family Health → Child’s AFE	0.023	1.754	0.079
Father’s PCE → Family Health → Child’s AFE	−0.045	−2.904	0.004
Mother’s PCE → Family Health → Child’s AFE	−0.033	−2.470	0.014

4. Discussion

The results confirmed intergenerational transmission of trauma (ITT) from both mothers and fathers to their children, especially via the relationship between mothers’ ACEs and children’s AFEs (consistent with hypothesis one). Contrary to our first hypothesis, parental PCEs were not directly related to the child’s AFEs. Fathers’ ACEs were predictive of worse family health, but there was no association between mothers’ ACEs and family health. Both mothers’ and fathers’ PCEs were predictive of positive family health. Further, consistent with hypothesis two, family health mediated the relationships between both parents’ PCEs and father’s ACEs with the child’s AFEs. The findings support the intergenerational transmission of ACEs from both mothers and fathers to their children and are consistent with previous findings on the intergenerational transmission of ACEs [ 14 ], but they also support the mediating role of positive effects in childhood and adulthood in reducing ITT.

4.1. Fathers’ ACEs and Family Health

Fathers’ ACEs were predictive of worse family health more so than mothers’ ACEs. Fewer studies exist about the effects of fathers’ ACEs in family functioning. Existing research demonstrates that genetics and environment have a strong influence on ACE exposure among males, while female exposure was largely driven by environment [ 40 ]. Given that ACEs increase risk of psychopathology in adults [ 6 ], research also shows that men are more likely to experience externalizing symptoms of psychopathology such as substance abuse or reckless activities [ 40 , 41 ]. Both mental illness and externalizing symptoms may harm the family’s social and emotional health processes and resources, undermining their family health. Research further indicates that the parenting styles of fathers are related to the perceived harsh parenting style that the father was raised under in his childhood [ 42 ]. This result may occur because psychological distress mediates the relationship between higher ACE scores and fathering behavior [ 43 ]. Additionally, the socialization of gendered parenting roles may influence the impact of either parent’s ACEs on their parenting ability; for example, fathers’ ACEs decrease instrumental (e.g., caregiving) and expressive (e.g., emotional support) parenting ability, while research on mother’s ACEs influence on instrumental parenting typically has found no relationship [ 43 ].

Generally, maternal mental health is screened and monitored regularly during prenatal and postnatal healthcare. Pediatricians often focus on the mother–child dyad as the key determinant of family health [ 41 ]; however, creating a mother–father–child triad may facilitate a more family-centered approach to AFE prevention. Therefore, a potential intervention is to include fathers in pediatric visits and postnatal mental health assessments. Pediatricians may increase fathers’ involvement by addressing both the mother and father during appointments, assessing relationship health between parents, demonstrating the value of fathers at clinical practices, and educating fathers on childcare and parenting [ 41 ]. Given that fathers’ ACEs were found to be more indicative of family health status, the integration and development of fathers’ mental health resources could be a tool to improve family health [ 41 , 44 ].

4.2. Parental PCEs and Family Health

While mother’s and father’s PCEs did not have significant direct relationships with the child’s AFEs, both parents’ PCEs were associated with better family health, which was negatively related to the child’s AFEs. This indicates that PCEs may decrease ITT from parents to children through family health. The fathers’ PCEs were more strongly associated with higher levels of family health compared to the mothers’ PCEs, which is supported by evidence showing that increased involvement from fathers mitigates poor physical outcomes in children, such as obesity rates, cognitive development, and ITT [ 45 , 46 ]. Strong family health can include access to physical, social, emotional, financial, and medical resources; healthy habits; strong emotional and social health processes; and external social support [ 32 ]. According to the findings of the current study, PCEs were predictive of these resources within families. Additionally, the framework of family systems theory supports existing evidence of the relationships between PCEs and family health. Previous research demonstrated that PCEs more significantly influenced family health than ACEs [ 33 ]. The quality of marital relationships in families may also reduce the parent–child transmission of trauma, especially from parents with posttraumatic and secondary traumatic stress symptoms [ 11 ]. Therefore, family environments that are low in conflict and have high emotional support are promotive factors that help reduce the child’s AFEs [ 27 ]. With the apparent interconnectedness of the family unit, promotive factors such as PCEs and good family health may help to reduce AFEs.

4.3. Family Health as a Mediating Factor

Lastly, consistent with family systems theory, family health mediated the relationship between the father’s ACEs and their child’s AFEs as well as between both parents’ PCEs and the child’s AFEs. Based on the results of this study, improving family health may help reduce ITT. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to study disruptions to the family system such as stressors and traumatic experiences caused by infectious disease and government restrictions. In a summary of articles about family dynamics during COVID-19, findings suggest that the pandemic disproportionately affected at-risk individuals and families, specifically among those with lower-quality family relationships and limited resources [ 47 ]. Apart from COVID-19 stressors and trauma, lower-SES children are at greater risk of experiencing environmental trauma from lack of resources, which then increases their risk of psychopathology [ 48 ]. Previous research has identified parent psychopathology as a risk factor for their children experiencing trauma [ 6 ]. Since low SES and experiencing trauma (such as AFEs) are risk factors for psychopathology (a risk for childhood trauma), interventions targeting lower SES or disadvantaged families may help improve family health, especially since AFEs are more common among lower-income families [ 49 ].

Involving the entire family to strengthen family systems could improve family health and functioning as well as reduce ITT [ 50 ]. Family health interventions exist at the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention level, and given the heritable nature of trauma, secondary or tertiary interventions for parents may serve as primary prevention for trauma transmission to their children. Successful primary prevention examples include home visits from social service professionals and community health workers [ 51 , 52 ], and community-based coalitions such as the Communities That Care system, which uses community needs assessments to address risk and protective factors within a community that emphasize child resilience such as school and sport programs and other community opportunities that support healthy parent and child interactions through local programs such as parent training, community gardening, or community cooking classes [ 51 ]. A secondary prevention such as the 2021 American Families Plan from the Biden administration impacts low-SES individuals and families. This plan focuses on improving the economic well-being of U.S. residents by increasing the child tax credit and access to affordable education [ 53 ]. Improving the economic well-being may decrease the risk of children experiencing trauma, thus reducing ITT. Another example, which can act as a primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention method is the Family Empowerment Program—a therapy program that focuses on the family system by partnering with an interdisciplinary team of professionals who provide the family with resources and treatment [ 54 ]. Additionally, family-friendly workplace policies allow employees to fulfill their family and work obligations through telecommuting, flexible time off, and paid childcare. Future studies should examine promising family-friendly practices shown to increase motivation and productivity in the workforce for both men and women and should incorporate AFE and other risk measures across a wide spectrum of worksites, including many small business and service industries which are less likely to offer such benefits. All levels of prevention targeting family health are key to reducing the risk of AFEs and transmission of trauma from parents to children.

4.4. Limitations

This study had several limitations, some of which were due to the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The situational effects of COVID-19 such as quarantine and social isolation may have affected the report of PCEs, ACEs, and AFEs reported in this study. An additional limitation was the low variability in PCE scores among the couple dyads, which prevented us from examining PCEs as a moderating variable. Another limitation based on the methodology of the study was that the AFE information was based on the mothers’ reports rather than on direct reports from the children. Parents may be less likely to report adversity in their children’s lives and may be a less accurate representation of a child’s perception of family life [ 55 ]. While future research may determine AFE reports directly from children, our study focused on young children who may have been too young to answer for themselves. In the current study, only mothers’ report of AFEs was used because in a few cases fathers and mothers reported on different children. Recent research indicates that mothers typically fill the responsive or nurturing role in heterosexual relationships and may be more aware of their children’s potentially traumatic experiences, while fathers more often take a protective role [ 24 , 56 ]. However, the mothers may have reported their child’s AFEs differently from the fathers’ reports, which may have affected the results. Future research accounting for both mothers’ and fathers’ responses to AFE items is important. Additionally, the ACE and AFE measures used do not represent all forms of trauma, such as homelessness. Finally, the data were cross-sectional limiting the ability to establish causality between family health and the children’s AFEs.

5. Conclusions and Future Research Directions

This research provides further implications for promoting advantageous childhood and family experiences through family health. Further research is needed to build on the results found in the current study. Since the results were likely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a replication study should be conducted post-pandemic to determine the generalizability of the results in less stressful conditions. A post-pandemic study might demonstrate the pathways between family health and ITT without the constant stress of a worldwide pandemic, while further contributing research on the impact of pandemic stressors and trauma on family health and transmission of trauma. Additionally, longitudinal data would be imperative to confirming directionality of results and the impact of adverse and positive childhood experiences on family health over time. Future research focusing on differences in mothers’ and fathers’ ACE transmission could provide a better understanding of why fathers’ experiences were more impactful and how father-focused interventions may promote better family health. This research could also identify differences in ACEs and family health in households where one or both parents experienced ACEs. The results of this study indicate that family health does mediate the relationship between the fathers’ ACEs and the children’s AFEs, demonstrating the necessity of interventions to promote family health and inhibit the intergenerational transmission of ACEs.

Funding Statement

This research received no external funding. A.C. received an internal grant from the Brigham Young University Women’s Research Initiative.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, E.M.R., M.D.B. and A.C.; methodology, A.C.; formal analysis, A.C.; writing—original draft preparation, E.M.R., M.J.B., M.D. and S.V.; writing—review and editing, E.M.R., M.D.B. and A.C.; supervision, A.C.; project administration, A.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Review Board (or Ethics Committee) of Brigham Young University (protocol code E2020-469 and 2 October 2021).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent in the form of implied consent for an electronic survey was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

Conflicts of interest.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Essay Service Examples Life Adulthood

Childhood Experiences Affect Adulthood: Persuasive Essay

Proper editing and formatting
Free revision, title page, and bibliography
Flexible prices and money-back guarantee

Child physical abuse
Child sexual abuse
Child emotional abuse
Physical neglect
Emotional neglect
Mentally ill, depressed, or suicidal person in the home
The drug-addicted or alcoholic family member
Witnessing domestic violence against the mother
Loss of a parent to death or abandonment, including abandonment by divorce
Incarceration of any family member

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this paper

Join our 150k of happy users

Get original paper written according to your instructions
Save time for what matters most

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.

Provide your email, and we'll send you this sample!

By providing your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Say goodbye to copy-pasting!

Get custom-crafted papers for you.

Enter your email, and we'll promptly send you the full essay. No need to copy piece by piece. It's in your inbox!

Home / Essay Samples / Psychology / Childhood / Effective Coping Strategies for Dealing with Childhood Trauma

Effective Coping Strategies for Dealing with Childhood Trauma

Category: Psychology , Health
Topic: Childhood , Trauma

Pages: 1 (510 words)

Downloads: -->

--> ⚠️ Remember: This essay was written and uploaded by an--> click here.

Found a great essay sample but want a unique one?

are ready to help you with your essay

You won’t be charged yet!

Sleep Essays

Substance Abuse Essays

Old Age Essays

Universal Health Care Essays

Underage Drinking Essays

Related Essays

We are glad that you like it, but you cannot copy from our website. Just insert your email and this sample will be sent to you.

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Your essay sample has been sent.

In fact, there is a way to get an original essay! Turn to our writers and order a plagiarism-free paper.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->

Childhood Trauma

2 Childhood Trauma Sensitive Approaches to Education

3 The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Brain Development and Function

4 The Impact of Early Childhood Trauma on Family and Marriage Relationships

5 Unraveling the Impact of Unresolved Childhood Trauma on Adult Well-being

How Childhood Traumatic Experiences Affect Mental Health Problems in Adulthood

Table of contents

Cite this Essay

Related Essays

Still can’t find what you need?

Related Essays on Childhood

Related Topics

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

Childhood Trauma - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Children Development

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Development and Adulthood

Foster Care System Pros and Cons

Childhood Sexual Abuse – Preceding Hypersexualized Behavior

Traumatic Childhood Memories

The Consequences of Homelessness – a Childhood on the Streets

Multiple Iimitations in Childhood

Resilience through Childhood Trauma Shadows: Understanding and Healing

Reimagining Childhood Trauma: a Psychologist’s Perspective

Childhood Trauma Unveiled: the Resilience and Redemption of Beth Thomas

Additional Example Essays

How To Write an Essay About Childhood Trauma

Examining the Causes and Manifestations of Childhood Trauma

Long-Term Effects and Coping Mechanisms

Concluding Thoughts on Addressing Childhood Trauma

126 Psychological Trauma Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Trauma Argumentative Essays Samples For Students

Free Trauma As Experienced By The Victim And The Onlooker In The Bridal Seamstress Argumentative Essay Example

Example Of Argumentative Essay On Poetry From The Vietnam War

The Red Convertible

Good Argumentative Essay On The Holocaust As Trauma And Postmodern Narrative:an Analysis Of Art Spiegelman

Historiography

Have a language expert improve your writing

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Table of contents

Argumentative writing at college level

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Toulmin arguments

Rogerian arguments

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Cite this Scribbr article

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Narrating Trauma—From No Words to Your Words

127 Captivating Child Abuse Essay Ideas, Research Questions & Essay Examples

📝 The Child Abuse Essay Structure

Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma: The Mediating Effects of Family Health

1. Introduction

1.1. Risk Factors for Adverse Family Experiences

1.2. Promotive Factors for Adverse Family Experiences

1.3. Family Systems Theory and ITT

1.4. Aims and Purpose

2. Materials and Methods

2.2. Measures

2.2.2. Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire

2.2.3. Family Health Scale—Short Form

2.2.4. Positive Childhood Experiences

2.3. Data Analysis

4. Discussion

4.1. Fathers’ ACEs and Family Health

4.2. Parental PCEs and Family Health

4.3. Family Health as a Mediating Factor

4.4. Limitations

5. Conclusions and Future Research Directions

Funding Statement

Author Contributions

Institutional Review Board Statement

Informed Consent Statement

Data Availability Statement

Childhood Experiences Affect Adulthood: Persuasive Essay

Cite this paper

Related articles

Most popular essays

Join our 150k of happy users