Background: Childhood and adolescent traumas are exceptionally prevalent worldwide. Despite their high prevalence and substantial impact, little research has investigated the rates and specific types of early trauma by gender. It is also unknown whether the types of early trauma are differentially associated with heightened or hindered prosocial attitudes and behaviours. Objective: To address this gap, this study aims to explore the rates of different types of early trauma (i.e., abuse: sexual, physical, and emotional; neglect: physical and emotional) among young Australian adults and investigate whether these differ according to participant gender (female, male and transgender/gender diverse). The study will also examine the associations between the different types of early trauma and current altruistic attitudes and behaviours (including the affective, behavioural and cognitive altruism domains), among a young adult Australian cohort. Methods: Cross-sectional data was collected from 511 young Australians aged 18-20 years using an online self-report survey. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that transgender/gender diverse individuals were over 3-times more likely to experience all types of maltreatment than females and over 3-times more likely to experience emotional and sexual abuse and emotional neglect than males. Experiencing one or more trauma types was negatively associated with the cognitive domain of altruism, experiencing physical neglect was associated with the affective domain, and having a family member involved in domestic violence was associated with the behavioural domain, after controlling for gender. Conclusions: Findings show how early traumatic experiences can influence individuals' attitudes and behaviours during the pivotal developmental period of young adulthood.

People experiencing homelessness can often have small and fragmented social networks, due to the loss and absence of critical connections, leaving them particularly susceptible to loneliness. During the course of homelessness, some people experience a changing profile of networks, transitioning away from family and some friends and forming new/substitute networks, such as service providers or pets. The resulting loneliness can have profound impacts on this group, threatening their physical and mental health and their ability to exit homelessness successfully. This study aimed to understand the social network characteristics and support associated with loneliness. MOS Social Support and social network questionnaire data from 124 participants (either currently or formerly homeless) were used in three hierarchical regression models to predict romantic, social, and family loneliness (SELSA-S), respectively. Findings suggested the more supportive, important, and (often) more satisfying that participants deemed current relationships to be, the lonelier they tended to feel. This occurred even if they were no longer homeless. These findings suggest that loneliness can operate differently in the context of poverty and homelessness. Whilst experiencing homelessness, people may prioritise relationships that provide resources and safety over those that assuage loneliness. Service providers can support people exiting homelessness to (re)connect with important and valued networks to reduce loneliness.