Journal of Student Research 2018

Examining the Lived Experiences of Individuals with Multiple Childhood Traumas

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Long-Term Effects

Each participant believed that their experiences shaped the person they are today. Participant 1 said that witnessing the violence between her parents resulted in her being very cautious in her dating life. The neglect she experienced also impacted her long-term. Because she was made responsible for buying groceries at a young age, she learned to budget her money and is now financially independent. In this case, she was able to turn her negative circumstances into a positive self-attribute. Participant 2 experienced negative self-esteem for the majority of her life as a result of her mother continuously putting her down. As a teenager, she was suicidal and ran away on more than one occasion. She noted that she currently suffers from depression and anxiety as a result of the trauma she endured. Participant 3 grew to be very independent as a result of the neglect she experienced during her childhood. Because her mother was rarely emotionally available and she didn’t have a father figure, she learned to rely on herself to meet her needs. The participant also said she suffers from poor mental health with feelings of anxiety and depression. Each of the participants indicated that their childhood experiences influenced their decision to become involved in Social Work. Participants 1 and 2 are both minoring in Social Work, with the hopes of working with clients in the future. Participant 1 said that it will be easier to relate to individuals who have endured different forms of abuse because of her own experiences. Participant 2 is especially interested in the aspect of child welfare, and attributes this to wanting to help prevent other children from experiencing the traumas that she did. Participant 3 had not yet decided if she would pursue a field in Social Work, but said she was interested in helping people in need. Conclusion The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the lived experiences of individuals who experienced multiple childhood traumas. This research gives society an insight into the trauma each participant experienced. The results complement previous research findings on childhood trauma. This data can contribute to the professional field and ideally influence providers who work with children exposed to trauma and the services available to them, including best practices for those working with Social Work as Chosen Field