Childhood Trauma

Childhood Trauma and Relational Trauma

Directly connected to childhood trauma, relational trauma is when the bonding between a parent and child is interrupted or damaged. A parent-child relational problem occurs when a child’s sense of being safe and loved within a family unit is disrupted. Since this disruption usually happens on a repetitive basis, childhood trauma is the result.

Since a child’s close relationship with a parent or caregiver is essential, the psychological damage of this type of trauma can be extensive. When these relationships are compromised, children and teens may have difficulty learning to trust others, regulate their emotions, and interact with the world.

Parents and Childhood Trauma
A parent-child relational problem is not intentional in most cases of relational trauma. The trauma and stress-related disorder tends to be the product of an ongoing, generational cycle of childhood trauma. Despite the lack of intention, however, relational trauma is harmful because it warps the healthy development of a child.

If relational trauma is not treated, the cycle of childhood trauma is likely to continue. A teen’s primary parent-child relational problem and the resulting relational trauma are risk factors for depression, anxiety, and health problems. Repairing relational trauma requires ongoing therapy, namely family therapy. Overcoming childhood trauma requires the forging of authentic connections through the fostering of positive coping mechanisms.

Sources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Child Traumatic Stress Network