Examining the Complex Trauma Definition Using Children’s Self-Reports

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the evidence for the complex trauma definition in children, utilizing children’s self-reported trauma-related symptoms. Two hundred and twelve children (ages 8–16) exposed to a traumatic event were included in the study. The symptom reports of children who experienced complex trauma were contrasted with children who experienced a trauma that did not meet the full complex trauma definition: 1) acute noninterpersonal trauma, 2) acute interpersonal trauma, 3) trauma that began early in life (i.e., prior to age 10), and 4) chronic interpersonal trauma that began later in childhood.. Significant differences in children’s self-reported symptoms were observed when children who experienced complex trauma were compared to those who experienced a traumatic event that met none of the characteristics of complex trauma exposure. Explanations for the findings are discussed.