Lifetime trauma and mortality risk: A systematic review.

Abstract

Objective: Various literature are suggestive of a relation between lifetime trauma and mortality risk in adulthood, however, findings seem unclear and inconsistent. In our preregistered review, we conducted a systematic review to examine the association between lifetime trauma and mortality risk in adulthood. Method: Six databases (Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL [EBSCO], PsycInfo [EBSCO], Embase, and Medline [PubMed]); were searched up to April 2023 for studies reporting adult mortality outcomes associated with traumatic events accumulated across the lifespan. Five studies were found, and a narrative review of the literature was conducted. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria, including 5,506 individuals. Two studies with men/male-only samples reported no relation between lifetime trauma and mortality risk; however, three studies with a mixed-sex sample found a positive relation between lifetime trauma and mortality risk, indicating that the more traumatic events a person has across their lifespan, the greater their mortality risk. Conclusion: Lifetime trauma appears to be associated with mortality risk during adulthood. The strongest evidence stems from larger samples. However, research is sparse and inconclusive. A plethora of additional research is needed to address several limitations within the current literature, which includes utilizing standardized measures of lifetime trauma, replication of effects, and the examination of vulnerable and underrepresented populations. Public Significance StatementThis review found that lifetime trauma-cumulative trauma and stressful life events-appears to be related to premature death across adulthood. In highlighting the importance of examining the effects of lifetime trauma on risk of death, this review also identifies several important avenues for future research to advance the area.

The Psychosomatic Effects of Childhood Trauma: Insights from Adult Survivors

“…Moreover, the physical symptoms reported by our participants, particularly chronic pain and sleep disturbances, echo the systematic review by Kont, Ozkan, Baydar, & Yilmaz (2022), which delineated the link between childhood adversity and adulthood asthma, indicating the biological embedding of traumatic experiences (Kont et al, 2022). This connection underscores the somatic manifestation of psychological trauma, reinforcing the notion that the body remembers and manifests trauma in various physical ailments (Buckley, 2024).…”

Self-Acceptance and Purpose in Life Are Mechanisms Linking Adverse Childhood Experiences to Mortality Risk

“…Although the present study used a very comprehensive measure of adversity, we did not examine certain adversities known to be important (e.g., sexual abuse). It was beyond the remit of this study, but future research would benefit from examining possible associations with lifetime adversity (48). Although our scoring approach to ACEs is an important indicator of accumulative events and consistent with existing research (1), important information is missing.…”