Early Life Adversity and Childhood Maltreatment

A new longitudinal study reveals that Israeli adults who experienced chaotic, unpredictable childhoods suffered sharper spikes in psychological distress following the outbreak of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.

A new study in rats shows how experiencing social isolation during adolescence directly changes the brain’s chemical response to alcohol, altering dopamine pathways linked to reward and aversion and paving the way for future substance use issues.

A large new study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that childhood abuse and neglect are associated with distinct differences in adult brain structure. These physical variations are most pronounced in young women and differ based on trauma type.

New research reveals that adults who endured severe childhood adversity face a substantially higher risk of developing a combination of chronic physical diseases and depression as they age, highlighting the lifelong health impacts of early trauma.

Cannabis can trigger paranoia, but a new study finds that adults who experienced emotional abuse or a high-conflict childhood are uniquely vulnerable. Researchers discovered a toxic interaction where heavy THC consumption significantly amplifies the hyper-vigilance and mistrust caused by early...

Not all depression is the same. A new study reveals that depressed patients with a high genetic risk for bipolar disorder show a structural brain association with childhood trauma that closely mimics bipolar disorder itself.

Psychological stress from childhood adversity doesn't just affect mental health. A new study shows that trauma like family disruption physically damages the immune and metabolic systems of children as early as age 13.

A new study suggests that growing up in poverty accelerates biological development. For adolescent girls, this early onset of puberty provides a pathway linking financial hardship to increased anxiety, behavioral issues, and lower academic achievement.

Experiencing multiple childhood traumas doesn't just increase the risk of a single addiction. A new study suggests it creates a dense, interconnected web of overlapping substance and behavioral addictions that reinforce one another in adulthood.

A new study reveals a connection between early life trauma and adult brain aging. Adults reporting severe childhood stress demonstrated a stronger link between advancing age and declining mental skills, alongside distinct gray matter volume differences.

New research indicates that childhood abuse and neglect alter executive function in young adults. While trauma negatively impacts mental flexibility, the brain appears to prioritize and preserve working memory to help individuals survive unpredictable environments.

A new study finds that children exposed to violence show increased activity in the insula when seeing or hearing their parents. This suggests trauma changes how the developing brain processes caregiver signals.

A new study finds that while severe childhood trauma often leads to early alcoholism, specific genetic variants are more closely linked to the disorder developing later in life.

A new study reveals that while childhood trauma leads youth into the justice system, it does not predict violent misconduct during incarceration. Instead, mental health history and gang affiliation are stronger indicators of behavior behind bars.

Most people think memory is like a video recording, but new research suggests otherwise. A study shows that young adults remember their childhoods differently depending on how well they get along with their parents right now.