Effects of Trauma 1
Effects of Trauma on Childhood Development
and the Mitigating Effects of Spirituality
Robin Fowler
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Effects of Trauma 2
Effects of Trauma on Childhood Development and the Mitigating Effects of Spirituality
Early childhood is a time of tremendous growth and development. During this time,
physical growth is accompanied by growth in motor skills, perception, brain development, and
social and emotional development. During this time, children are especially susceptible to
trauma which can impact them into adulthood. This paper will examine the effects of trauma on
development, the effects of childhood trauma on learning and high-risk behaviors in adolescence,
the mitigating effects of spirituality and on trauma and resilience.
Trauma in childhood affects physical, psychological and the neurological development.
Psychologically, childhood trauma has been linked to attention deficit and hyperactive disorder,
depression, and anxiety (Dye, 2018). Ford (2005; as cited in Dye, 2018) concludes that children
who have been exposed to trauma have long term effects on their health. Some of these
conditions include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, glucose intolerance and low or high
cholesterol. All of these conditions are precursors to life-long health problems. Childhood
trauma causes modification in the brain and affects development through neurobiological
developments. Childhood trauma rewires the brain and causes neurological development to be
altered. One specific aspect of neurological development that is delayed in young children is the
development of executive function (Barr, 2018). Executive functioning skills control thought,
action and emotion. These are necessary for emotional regulation, adapting to circumstances,
and deliberate reasoning (Zelazo, 2020). Children with delayed executive functioning skills
show greater inattention and impulsive behaviors (Portilla et al., 2014).
In childhood, the brain is still developing; and growing and exposure to trauma impacts
brain development. In childhood, when the brain is subjected to trauma two different aspects
affect the development. The first aspect is that trauma activates the amygdala and the
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hippocampus. This area of the brain is responsible for the stress response and short-term
memory. Because these areas are sensitive to stressors and the pathways in the brain are
integrated, stress in one area will affect other areas of the brain (Thomason & Marusak, 2016).
Another factor, we see in developmental delays is that connectivity within the brain of children
who have experienced traumatic events is reduced (Thomason & Marusak, 2016). These
connections are vital for healthy development in children. When the brain is flooded with stress
hormones, I believe it puts the amygdala in the “driver’s seat,” and this means that other areas of
the brain are not given the opportunity to continue to develop normally. Joan Luby (2018; as
cited in Barr, 2018) assessed children using MRI brain scans to determine the size of their
hippocampus and connections in the brain. The results were that children raised with a hostile
style of parenting, lower emotional support, and exposure to stressful events had hippocampi
which were smaller and less developed with fewer connections.
Enoch (2011, as cited by Dye, 2018) found that trauma created an environment where
individuals were more vulnerable to alcohol and drugs. Researchers have found that these high-
risk behaviors are used to self-medicate (Dye, 2018). Enoch cited that in court documented
cases of child abuse, 33.5% of adolescents abused alcohol or drugs (2011, as cited by Dye,
2018). It seems clear that there is a causal risk in the teen age years between early childhood
trauma and use of alcohol and/or drugs.
Resilience is the ability to adapt successfully despite challenges or threatening
circumstances (Wong et al., 2015). In looking at resilience, trauma, and spirituality there does
seem to be a link between the resiliency and spiritual undertakings. There have been several
studies that show that meditation and prayer reduce stress and inflammation (Dossett, 2020).
Brewer-Smyth & Koenig (2014) cite works that show that faith-based groups have broad
Effects of Trauma 4
benefits such as reducing anxiety and depression and improving emotional responses and
cognitive function. In Texas, there is a faith-based program in prisons that has a three year
recidivism rate of 17% (Bridges to Life, n.d.). This is in stark contrast to the national average 3
year recidivism rate of 68%. Bridges to Life has a lower rate than the state of Texas which is at
21.4% (World Population Review). There have been several studies that have shown that
cognitive behavioral theory (CBT) and trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) can be used to treat
trauma symptoms (Dye, 2018). While TF-CBT helps educate clients in relaxation, skill
development, cognitive reprocessing and creation of trauma narratives, all of these skills can be
placed within a spiritual context. Christianity uses themes of forgiveness, restoration, and
redemption to create it owns idea of cognitive reprocessing through “renewing the mind” (New
American Standard Bible, 1995, Romans 12:2).
Childhood trauma is diverse and multi-faceted, and its effects on individuals are just as
varied. While there has been various research on stress and trauma and how it effects different
aspects of neurobiology, it seems that there has been little research on how spirituality affects
those areas. Specifically, it would be interesting to see how trauma affects cortisol levels and
what effects spirituality has on cortisol levels. While there are faith-based programs for those
incarcerated, I think it would be worth developing programs with similar structure for children
and adolescents who have undergone traumatic events. I believe reframing trauma within a
spiritual narrative could give hope and lend further resilience to children and adolescents who
have experienced trauma. It is clear that we still have much to learn about the brain, and how it
develops and what impact traumatic events have on the brain. It is also clear that, as science
continues to investigate, that spiritual directives such as “a cheerful heart is good medicine”
(New Living Translation, Proverbs 17:22a) and “an encouraging word cheers a person up”
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(NLT, Proverbs 12:25b) have more relevance. As these, and other biblical principles, are being
proven true, it opens the door for school counselors, and others who work with children, to find
new innovative ways to integrate their faith with their work.
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References
Barr, D. (2018). When trauma hinders learning. Phi Delta Kappan, 99(6), 39-44.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0031721718762421
Brewer-Smyth, K. & Koenig, H. (2014) Could spirituality and religion promote stress resilience
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Bridges to Life. (n.d.). Our program. Retrieved April 11, 2021, from
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Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. (n.d). Stress and the developing brain.
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Dossett, M. L., Fricchione, G. L., & Benson, H. (2020). A new era for mind-body medicine. The
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World Population Review. (n.d.). Recidivism rates by state 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021, from
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