Transformation of Childhood Traumatic Experiences to Violence

Abstract

Although there are several genetic, social, cultural, and evolutionary explanations for violence, this article will only be based on a psychological aspect with a special focus on trauma theory. Traumatic events in childhood including witnessing family violence and experiencing abuse, neglect, loss and abandonment can cause long term emotional pain and distress. Particularly, trauma becomes more severe when children are victims of family violence and parents who are supposed to love, protect, and reassure children become violent and threatening. Traumatic events leave children with overwhelming feelings of fear, anger, and vulnerability. Many authors emphasized the link between childhood traumatic experiences and aggressive behaviors, and they consider trauma and violence inseparable. However, there is little research focusing on the developmental aspects of this relation. Bowlby’s attachment theory suggests that traumatic experiences interrupt a child’s secure attachment and they generate attachment injuries that interfere with obtaining healthy relationships. Ferenczi’s identification with the aggressor theory claims that traumatic experience teaches children both roles: victim role and the abuser role. Trauma in children and youth, differently than trauma in adults, affects underdeveloped personalities and it has a significant role in building the immature personality of children. This article focuses on explaining how childhood traumatic experiences turn into violence in light of Bowlby and Ferenczi's theories.