Hormones and Childhood Trauma: Links Between the Physical and Psychological

Keywords

childhood trauma, biopsychosocial model, pituitary disorders, family counselors

Abstract

Researchers have uncovered connections between the experience of childhood traumas and later symptoms, both psychological and physiological. This article highlights, specifically for family counselors, the need for increased attention to physical expressions of childhood trauma in adulthood. This discussion enriches our systemic understanding of the way trauma alters both psychological and physiological processes. Preliminary analyses from a pilot study (N = 24) are presented from a small sample of individuals having an endocrine disorder whose symptoms correlated significantly with various childhood traumatic experiences. Our preliminary results highlight the importance of counselors having some basic knowledge of not only how trauma may influence cognitive and emotional processes but physical ones as well. Clinical practice implications are discussed.

Original Publication Citation

Banker, J., Witting, A. B., & Jensen, J. (2019). Hormones and Childhood Trauma: Links Between the Physical and Psychological. The Family Journal, 27(3), 300–308.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2019-05-05

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6964

Publisher

The Family Journal

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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