title: Outcomes of traumatic exposure.
abstract: There is a great need to recognize, prevent, reduce, or treat the immediate and long-term effects of childhood trauma. Most children affected by trauma will not develop long-term posttraumatic sequelae due to their resilience, but comorbid psychopathological outcomes occur and are more common after exposure to severe traumatic events. Factors influencing posttraumatic outcomes are numerous. Young dependent children tend to be more susceptible than older children; children with pain or injury are also more susceptible. Psychopathological effects may not be evident until adulthood. Awareness of the range of adverse outcomes underscores the importance of preventive interventions, accurate assessment, diagnosis and where possible, treatment. Advocacy and public policy initiatives are essential to improving outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, SHC 610, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: fstoddard@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Frederick J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Stoddard
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D002669:Child Welfare; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Childhood trauma; Posttraumatic sequelae; Resilience; Trauma and stressor-related disorders