ABSTRACT
Researchers evaluated individuals with a history of child abuse and neglect identified through juvenile and criminal court records to ensure they had a documented abuse history. Once a human being is exposed to deficient or abusive parenting, the architecture of that individual's brain is fundamentally impacted. Researchers have theorized that the emotional consequences of trauma exposure may lead to behaviors in the individual which make him or her more likely to re-encounter traumatic experiences. Studies have also identified depression as a potential consequence of trauma exposure which increases the likelihood of additional trauma exposure. Maternal care has been shown to fundamentally impact the developing child's stress regulation systems throughout the lifespan. Disrupted maternal attachment and consequent deficits in the development of appropriate emotional regulation in the child have been associated with increased post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk.
