Impact of complex trauma on infant and children’s wellbeing

The impact of complex trauma on infants and children’s wellbeing is profound and multifaceted, affecting their physical, emotional, and psychological development. Complex trauma, which includes prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic events such as abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, can disrupt a child’s sense of safety and attachment. This can lead to developmental delays, difficulties in forming healthy relationships, and issues with emotional regulation. Early intervention and trauma-informed care are crucial in mitigating these effects and promoting resilience in children and infants1.

Trauma-informed ways of working in out-of-home care.

Experiences and impacts of self-blame after traumatic events

Children who endure traumatic events often develop self-blame and shame, especially if the perpetrator was trusted, leading to lifelong negative mental health effects. Fear of disbelief and negative responses hinders abuse disclosure. Practitioners play a crucial role in early intervention by fostering supportive environments that encourage disclosure, challenge shame, and help children understand power dynamics, aiding their recovery from trauma3.

Children are deeply affected by family violence even if they do not directly witness it, as the pervasive climate of fear impacts their overall wellbeing. This can manifest in behaviours such as attempting to protect the abused parent, distractions and aggression at school, social withdrawal, and declining academic performance. Understanding the child’s context is crucial for accurately assessing their social and emotional health and avoiding misinterpretation of their behaviour4.

Experiences and impacts of disasters

Communities can experience trauma from natural or human-induced disasters. In Australia, climate change, family and community violence, and rural disadvantage amplify these events’ frequency and impact. It’s crucial to address children’s specific needs during recovery, as they rely on adults for safety and reassurance. Effective strategies include practical and psychological preparation, building resilience, and providing ongoing support. Recognising signs in children that may require specialised care is also vital.5

Culturally safe ways of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Working in culturally safe and trauma-informed ways with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities requires a deep understanding and respect for their unique cultural contexts, histories, and experiences. Practitioners must acknowledge the impact of intergenerational trauma and colonisation, and actively work to build trust and respectful relationships. This involves listening to, and valuing the voices of community members, using culturally appropriate practices, and being aware of the social and historical factors that influence their wellbeing. Providing culturally safe support also means collaborating with Indigenous leaders and organisations to ensure that interventions are relevant and effective, fostering healing and empowerment within the community6.

Culturally safe ways of working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities

When working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) children, young people, and families, it’s essential to recognise and respect their diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. Creating an environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and understood is crucial. This involves acknowledging the impact of systemic inequalities and discrimination and ensuring interventions are culturally sensitive and relevant.6

Becoming a trauma-informed organisation

To become trauma-informed, organisations must take a systemic approach that recognises the widespread impact of trauma and its potential paths to recovery. This involves identifying signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others, integrating trauma awareness into policies, procedures, and practices, and actively working to prevent re-traumatisation. Such an approach requires the entire organisation to understand the complexities of trauma, prioritise recovery, and ensure that policies and procedures are designed to avoid re-traumatising individuals. Essentially, becoming trauma-informed involves a cultural shift throughout the organisation, creating an environment of empathy, understanding, and support for individuals who have experienced trauma7.

The workforce self-care and professional growth in trauma-impactful environments

In environments where trauma has a significant impact, it is essential to prioritise the self-care and professional growth of the workforce to maintain resilience and effectiveness in supporting those affected by trauma. Working with individuals who have experienced trauma can be emotionally, physically, and psychologically demanding for professionals. Therefore, organisations must establish strong self-care practices and provide opportunities for continuous professional development. This includes offering access to supervision, peer support, and resources for managing stress and burnout, as well as providing training and education to improve skills in trauma-informed care and resilience-building8.

References

  1. Australian Institute of Family Studies. How to recognise complex trauma in infants and children and promote wellbeing [Internet]. 2023. Emerging Minds and Australian Institute of family Studies [cited 2024 May 29]. Available from: How to recognise complex trauma in infants and children and promote wellbeing | Australian Institute of Family Studies (aifs.gov.au)
  2. Bailey C, Klas A, Cox R, Bergmeier H, Avery J, Skouteris H. Systematic review of organisation-wide, trauma-informed care models in out-of-home care (OoHC) settings. Health Soc Care Community. 2019;27(3): e10–22.
  3. Moss D, Klapdor C. Working with children to prevent self-blame after disclosures of child sexual abuse [Internet]. 2022: Australian Government, Department of Health [cited 2024 May 29]. Available from: Working-with-children-to-prevent-self-blame-after-disclosures-of-CSA.pdf (d2p3kdr0nr4o3z.cloudfront.net)
  4. Emerging Minds. In focus: Family and domestic violence and children.  [Internet]. 2023, Australian Government, Department of Health [cited 2024 May 29]. Available from: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/in-focus-family-and-domestic-violence-and-children/
  5. Australian Institute of Family Studies. Supporting children after natural and human-induced disasters [Internet]. Australian Government [cited 2024 May 29]. Available from: https://aifs.gov.au/webinars/supporting-children-after-natural-and-human-induced-disasters
  6. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Working with community- Cultural ways [Internet] 2024. Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care. [cited 2024 May 29]. Available from: Working with community – Cultural Ways – Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet (ecu.edu.au)
  7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA’s Concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884. [Internet]. Rockville, MD: Office of Policy, Planning and Innovation: 2014: [cited 2024 May 27]. Available from: SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach (hhs.gov)
  8. The Centre for Early Education and Development.  Reflective Interaction Observation Scale (RIOSTM) [Internet] 2024, The Centre for Early Education and Development, USA. [cited 2024 May 29]. Available from: https://ceed.umn.edu/reflective-practice-center/reflective-interaction-observation-scale-rios/

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