Early Life Adversity and Childhood Maltreatment

A psychological study of men convicted of intimate partner violence found that a lack of social support increases the risk of reoffending, while childhood abuse fuels physical aggression by severely impairing a person's impulse control.

By analyzing genetic and environmental data from thousands of twins, researchers found that early trauma shapes mental health in distinct ways that increase a person's vulnerability to later domestic abuse.

Adults with a history of childhood trauma who use psychedelics at raves or ceremonies may experience mental health improvements. New research suggests these communal settings are associated with reductions in PTSD symptoms and feelings of shame.

A new machine learning analysis reveals how childhood trauma can amplify genetic vulnerabilities to depression, uncovering thousands of biological interactions that traditional statistical methods have consistently missed.

A longitudinal study of aging adults reveals that severe childhood adversity substantially raises the risk of developing simultaneous physical and mental illnesses in later life. Early-onset depression often acts as a bridge to these overlapping health struggles.

A new longitudinal study reveals that depression can alter how young adults remember childhood trauma. When depressive symptoms worsen, individuals are more likely to recall past adversity, pointing to current emotional state as a major driver of autobiographical memory.

A new brain-imaging study tracking teenagers over seven years reveals that an unstable home life hinders the development of cognitive control. This neurological change makes them less likely to take positive, career-building social risks in young adulthood.

Smart people tend to trust others more easily. But if you grew up facing economic or family hardships, your intelligence is far less likely to translate into this highly beneficial social trait.

Childhood abuse forces the biological clock to tick faster and curbs children's willingness to make eye contact, independent consequences that both track with higher rates of emotional and behavioral problems.

New research finds that individuals who experienced psychological abuse in childhood tend to report lower relationship satisfaction as adults. This link appears to be explained by a reduced sense of belonging associated with early emotional mistreatment.

Experiencing stress during early childhood physically alters the nerves in the digestive system. Recent studies reveal how this biological remodeling causes chronic gut pain and movement issues, paving the way for highly targeted new therapies.

Childhood adversity casts a long shadow on human health, elevating the risk of developing simultaneous physical and mental illnesses during adulthood. New research details how early trauma fundamentally alters long-term biological and psychological outcomes.

A new study explores the statistical links between childhood trauma, adult attachment styles, and sexual preferences. Researchers found nuanced associations between emotional insecurities and whether individuals prefer submissive or dominant roles during intimate consensual encounters.

Individuals with a history of severe childhood trauma who attended ceremonial psychedelic retreats reported marked reductions in anxiety and increased well-being. The findings suggest psychedelics could offer a novel approach for populations historically resistant to traditional mental health therapies.