“NATURAL DISASTERS, CAR ACCIDENTS, AND BOAT CRASHES! OH MY!” THE LONG TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NON-ABUSE TRAUMA IN CHILDHOOD

Abstract

Over the last century the leading cause of death in the United States has moved from infectious diseases to heart disease (Tippett, 2010). Heart disease, among other chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer), is affected by personal behavior choices (e.g., tobacco use, diet, alcohol use, number of sexual partners and sexually transmitted diseases) (Leather, 2009). With this shift in causes of mortality, the question becomes what leads to the risk-taking behavior that can lead to chronic disease? Although both abuse and non-abuse trauma in childhood can lead to risk taking behavior, abuse trauma has received much more attention. This paper will review the important research studies concerning non-abuse trauma. As a comparison, the first section will review research from the Adverse Childhood Experiences study, which draws a strong connection between childhood abuse trauma, risk taking behaviors and chronic health problems. The second will review research related to betrayal trauma, which is not necessarily related to childhood abuse. The third section will address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) developed following natural disasters, traffic accidents, and PTSD following major accidents. This paper concludes with a focus on the future implications for both research and post trauma childcare for caregivers and medical providers.