Journal of Student Research 2018

12 Journal Student Research four categories of household dysfunction relating t o childhood trauma: exposure to substance abuse, mental illness, abuse of mother/stepmother, and criminal activity (Felitti et al., 1998). In each category there were one to two questions about an individual’s exposure during childhood. It is important to acknowledge that while psychological abuse is not always as easy to recognize as physical abuse, the negative effects are equally as maladaptive (Agorastos et al., 2014). It has been found that individuals who experienced more than one form of abuse are at a higher risk for physical and mental health complications later in life (Agorastos et al., 2014). Researchers found that individuals exposed to four or more traumatic events/situations were discovered to be four-and-a-half times more likely to develop psychological and/or physical health conditions (Felitti et al., 1998). Depression is the most common mental health diagnosis experienced by children who endured trauma (Felitti et al., 1998). Furthermore, these individuals measured over 12% more likely to attempt suicide than those who did not experience childhood trauma (Felitti et al., 1998). Supporting these findings is a quote from another related study: “Secure attachments and emotional bonds with caregivers during childhood are thought to be protective against the development of mental health problems later in adulthood” (Frewen et al., 2015, p. 1). Long-term physical health conditions related to the exposure of childhood trauma include ischemic heart disease, cancer, liver disease, and diabetes, among several others (Felitti et al., 1998). According to the results of the research, “the findings suggest that the impact of these adverse childhood experiences on adult health status is strong and cumulative” (Felitti et al., 1998, p. 251). Children not only suffer from the consequences of their parent/guardian’s actions during the present situation, but years following the trauma. Individuals specialized in Trauma Informed Care are educated on all aspects of trauma. This would put them at an advantage as they would know what mental and physical health factors to look at (SAMSA, 2014). In a qualitative study researching the price children pay for their parents’ drug abuse, researchers conducted one-on-one interviews with parents who had recovered from a drug addiction (McKeganey, Barnard, & McIntosh, 2002). In one interview, a parent admitted to selling all of the household furniture in order to sustain her drug addiction (McKeganey, Barnard, & McIntosh, 2002). This is an important scenario to consider as it Long-Term Health Effects Substance Use