Ethical Effects Of Childhood Trauma

For my final reflection paper, I would like to discuss vicarious trauma and its implications. This topic has stuck with me ever since we learned about it earlier in the semester. It is something that I fear will impact me during my work as a counselor. While I do not intend to deal exclusively with trauma patients, I cannot control who walks through my doors so it is in my best interest to understand ways to protect against vicarious trauma. My initial reaction to this topic was, “oh that does not bother me” or “I won’t have a problem with that,’ but as trauma seeped into my personal life it became apparent hat it does in fact bother me. Dealing with my cousins’ trauma this semester and trying my best to be helpful and supportive has proven to be more difficult then original thought.

Childhood and adolescence is a crucial time for humans- a time full of physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Upon observing the significant impact that trauma induced stress can have on adults following time in combat or an injury, when adults have fully matured in all areas, it raises the question of what influence post-traumatic stressors can have on development in children. This issue was so significant that in the DSM-5, the psychologists introduced a new, and separate, section of criteria for PTSD that specifically relates to the preschool subtype, or those individuals six years and younger. The first age specific sub-type for this disorder is important due to the rising number of studies and cases of PTSD in children.

Because of this, my purpose in research will be to explore the long term effects on foster and adopted children, and whether secure attachment to a primary caregiver provides an environment that allows for emotional healing from traumatic events and their effects.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) such as neglect and abuse have the capacity to increase the likelihood of disease, social problems, sexual issues and mental health issues later in adulthood. A dysfunctional home life experience as a child also is also implemented and impacts physical, mental, social and sexual health and wellbeing as an adult.

In The Boy Who was Raised as a Dog author Bruce Perry demonstrates how understanding the brain’s inner workings and development can help bring traumatized children from heartbreak to hope, while always balancing that hope with caution. In his book Perry illustrates how empathy is vital to healthy child development. There has been a decrease in the amount of healthy adults involved in a child’s life than in decades before. Families are smaller, teacher to pupil ratio has increased, and so the number of human-to-human interactions where children are being taught and nurtured has suffered. If you are an adult who is involved with children in your daily life, parent, teacher, law enforcement, etc., and you know that a child has been exposed to something that is potentially traumatic the first thing you should be aware of is that not all traumatic events automatically lead to disastrous mental health outcomes. In fact the majority do well, but for these successful outcomes they do need your attention, support, and awareness. What makes children get better following a trauma is connection with other human beings. Connections to people who are kind, patient, present, but not necessarily psychologically insightful, is at the core of a successful therapeutic relationship.

“American Psychiatric Association defines trauma as an event that represents a threat to life or personal integrity. Trauma can also be experienced when children are faced with a caregiver who acts erratically, emotional and /or physical neglect, and exploitation” (Maltby, L., & Hall, T. 2012. p. 304). Trauma comes in many different forms including: war, rape, kidnapping, abuse, sudden injury, and

The most damaging form of trauma is interpersonal trauma which is far more likely than other traumas, such as car accidents, to give rise to posttraumatic symptoms (Van der Kolk, 1989). Maybe the worst form of interpersonal trauma is that inflicted by a child’s carers. When a carer turns abuser, then the world feels unsafe and unpredictable. Serious abuse often leads to fear, helplessness, shame… (Music 206)

Humans are complicated and so are our relationships. Attachment theory is a psychological modal used to guide clinical interventions to understand the long-term effects of interpersonal human relationships. However, this theory is not about relationships in general but is about human relations and the support seeking behavior in response to emotional trauma or threats (Vrtička & Vuilleumier,

Lehmann and Coady (2001) state that attachment theory adheres to the notion that mental health issues come from detrimental early childhood caregiver relationships. Lehmann and Coady (2001) further state that this can include a breakdown in relationships that fail to give a child emotional security, comfort and protection. Lehmann and Coady (2001) reiterate that this can also include bad reactions with caretakers that are inconsistent, unreliable, insensitive and abusive. This theory is critical in a rural social work setting as it pertains to trauma.

Clearly, Anita is handling her life in the best way that she can. However, because Anita has unresolved trauma, helping her overcome all the trauma that is stored within her could prove to be quite productive. Watching the two videos this week gave me a better understanding of neurobiology and attachment implications in Anita’s case. It is essential for Anita to feel good about herself so she can allow her children to feel good about themselves. It is Anita’s own self-understanding that is so crucial for improving the quality of the relationships she has with her two children (PsychAlive, 2011).

Trauma is very complex and varied in its nature. Traumatic events include child abuse, neglect and maltreatment. Wamser‐Nanney & Vandenberg (2013) found that one of the more harmful types of trauma is the abuse is committed intentionally. This directly impacts the victim 's safety and sense of trust. The devastating effects of this type of trauma is the way in which it impacts not only the survivors, but also future generations, and the ability they have to form attachments (Connolly, 2011).

Because of the depiction made within the media, I also assumed that victims of childhood trauma were only able to overcome through the use of therapeutic care. Therapeutic care is often depicted as the only option that victims use that will ensure that they do not fall into a state of depression or begin to abuse drugs. It is rare to see movies where they are promoting social relationships as a bonus to the use of therapeutic services. Although it is not often depicted, social relationships do help in the quest to overcome the horrors of childhood trauma. Social relationships are any form of bonds created between a person and their

“Where there is a will… there is a war” [1]. Mary Magaka’s husband, Bezerk Magaka disinherited his wife, who had substantially contributed to his property and was financially dependent on him [2]. She was devastated because inheritance was the only means of financial support for her. As shocking as it may seem, this situation is not uncommon. Numerous people abandon their spouses and children by not giving them their share in the property. When a person marries and has children, ethically it is the duty of the person to take their responsibility. This responsibility continues even after death with transferring of the ownership of the property to the children or spouse. Hence, it should be illegal to disinherit your spouse or children, and courts should be able to change the terms of a will that they decide are unfair.

Due to the rise of domestic violence in many families, psychologists are helping affected children cope and confront their emotional imprisonment by using various methods. Over the years, there has been a drastic increase in domestic violence cases. In many instances, the children are most affected in the involvement of the violent disputes. Psychologists study the behaviors of affected children and develop a plan of treatment that aim towards the child’s overall health. Psychologists provide the best treatment by immersing themselves inside the child’s situation and connecting with what the child sees. Furthermore, psychologist use a strategy of taking small steps in the overall treatment. Sadly, over the years, there’s been an increase

Facilitating Developmental Attachment by Daniel A Hughes is an in depth look at the work of Dr Hughes, a clinical psychologist who specialises in child abuse and neglect, attachment and works with children in foster care or adoption. Hughes discusses every facet of his practice including the theory and research surrounding attachment, the qualities and expectations required by each of the people involved in the therapeutic process as well as including four case studies. Hughes states the book is written for those working with children who have “…severe forms of attachment problems that correspond to