Abstract Each day countless numbers of children suffer trauma. Trauma can affect these children in numerous ways including causing significant developmental delays due to changes in young brain from the stress endured from the trauma. This trauma can have effects on these children that will last a lifetime. Studies are now shedding light on how spirituality can reverse some of these effects. Within the context of this paper I will focus on trauma, the effects of trauma, and how come children may overcome the effects by the counter effect of spiritual development. Childhood Trauma To discuss trauma and the effect it has on children, we must first identify what is trauma as well as define abuse. As defined by Hook (2016), “Trauma occurs when …show more content…
Trauma can also occur from a loss or grief as well. Trauma can be direct or indirect and can also be due to a disaster or accident. Too often we find that trauma is a result of abuse suffered at the hands of the childcare provider. As stated in the article written by Rick & Douglas (2007), child abuse is defined in the” Child Abuse and Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974 as physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, and negligent or maltreat¬ment of a child younger than age 18 by a person who is responsible for the child’s welfare under cir¬cumstances that indicate that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or threatened thereby”. No matter which type of trauma, the result is the same; a child experiences intense stress and fear from the event or abuse which may cause changes to the developing …show more content…
The reaction these children have to the stress from trauma varies dependent on the developmental stage that they are in. Purtscher (2008) states that “consequences of childhood trauma are likely to reside in higher rates of risk for the development of conduct disorders, higher rates of teenage pregnancy, school droop out, and involvement with the juvenile court jurisdiction because of law violations.” In addition, the trauma endured during childhood often leads to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or attachment