It is Not That Simple: An Exploration into the Reality of Childhood Trauma
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Authors
Mears, Kyla
Issue Date
2025-10
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
trauma phenomenology , traumatic exposure , biomedical system , childhood
Alternative Title
Abstract
Trauma is an inevitability in a person's life; everyone will encounter something that will leave lasting scars. In looking to understand trauma phenomenology, research is performed predominantly on adults, utilizing reflection on early childhood to extrapolate on the effects of trauma in childhood. Two of the main reasons this model is used are the legalities surrounding researching children and the social stigma associated with acknowledging and labelling maltreatment in the most vulnerable. In attempting to comprehend childhood trauma manifestations, findings from neurological studies on brain maladaptation following traumatic exposure provides one piece of the puzzle. Desiring to measure the impacts of developmental trauma in childhood, a group of practitioners in the field began intentionally researching the impacts of relational, social, and developmental trauma in early childhood with the goal of crafting a formal diagnosis to address the diagnostic gap. This capstone integrates trauma research with the intersection of the medical system, with a view towards how the medical system can be changed to better serve those with complex mental health conditions.