Childhood Trauma and Anxiety in young Adulthood

Abstract

Researchers have found that traumatic events stemming from community violence have been linked to adverse outcomes, such as behavioral problems, disengagement, depression and anxiety, trouble with relationships and more. In particular, many individuals who have experienced childhood trauma are at higher risks for developing anxiety. Research suggests that women experience higher rates of anxiety than any other gender. Theorists propose that childhood trauma is associated with anxiety because many individuals exposed to violence tend to have problems displaying healthy ways to manage the symptoms left behind. Childhood trauma is a toxic stress that affects the body and mind. It may affect how one may feel, think and act. It can affect the way one grows up to develop. The relationship between childhood trauma and anxiety is important to understand because most of these traumatic events can affect an individual's life in adulthood. Many may be stuck with the unwanted psychological effects trauma can leave behind and not getting the proper help one may need can lead to further mental health outcomes. The proposed study will be a replica study that will investigate the relationship between childhood trauma via community violence and anxiety in early adulthood. In this study, participants from SUNY Purchase College enrolled in Intro to Psychology classes, were recruited to participate in the study through an online software called Qualtrics. The sample included 133 students who were willing to participate between the ages of 18-25. The results indicated that this correlation did not have a significant association between community violence and anxiety symptoms as well as no significant association between anxiety and gender. Some limitations to take into consideration: not enough participants, done during COVID pandemic online and the study also fails to take into consideration what kind of communities each individual is coming from etc. Keywords: Childhood trauma, Anxiety, Gender