Multiple Traumatic Experiences and the Expression of Traumatic Stress Symptoms for Children and Adolescents

Abstract

In order to understand the differential presentation of trauma stress symptoms over the course of development from children to adolescents, a sample of more than 11,000 children and adolescents were studied who were identified as to whether they had experienced multiple trauma experiences prior to placement in child welfare custody. Six age groups were compared on their presentation of symptoms associated with traumatic experiences. Trauma stress symptoms were dramatically different for children and adolescents despite the similarity of trauma experiences. Implications for understanding and addressing multiple trauma experiences across a developmental trajectory are discussed.