Effects of Trauma on Development - Essay Example

Similarly, stress impairs the division of cerebral cortex cells and impaired development lowers the ability to perceive faces (Lanius, Vermetten, & Pain, 2010; Hendren, 2003). Exposure to stress at a tender age has also been associated with poor cognitive potential suggesting that stress and trauma hinder cognitive development in children (Labad, 2013; Anesthesiology, 1971).

consequently, trauma and other forms of stress impair development in elements of the neural system and reduce the effectiveness of neural responses and cognitive development. Effects of spiritual development in countering traumaSpiritual development empowers people to manage trauma and avoid possible effects. This is because individuals with spiritual power and knowledge are less likely to show symptoms of post-traumatic disorder than individuals who lack spiritual orientation and spiritual support.

This observation remains valid even if individuals without spiritual support seek psychological initiatives to manage the effects of trauma. This was the observation in an empirical study by Bowland, Edmond, & Fallot (2012). Factors such as hope, faith in God’s power, and the need to forgive, as spirituality requires, could mediate the role of spiritual development in managing the effects of stress. This also suggests that the stronger a person is in spirit, the easier it is to manage trauma.

Elements of trauma that influences its effects on childrenOne of the elements that influence the effects of trauma on children is the level of suffered stress and high levels are expected to have more significant effects. The scope of the event that induces the trauma is another factor in the effect of trauma on children with horrible experiences expected to yield more significant effects. A child’s ability to endure pressure is another factor and relates to emotional stability.

Those who are stable may suffer mild effects of trauma while unstable children, emotionally are likely to suffer severe effects. A child’s personality is another significant element that determines the effects of trauma on the child. Support that a child can receive, following exposure to a traumatic event, is another factor in the effects of trauma. With all other factors kept constant, received support is likely to empower a child to overcome a traumatic experience and manage possible symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (Weiner & Goldstein, 2003).

Variation in prevalence of traumaPrevalence of trauma varies across cultures and across types of eve that lead to trauma. Across cultures, the prevalence rate of trauma and associated disorders is highest among Blacks (8.7 percent). Prevalence among Hispanics and Whites follows this at seven percent and 7.4 percent respectively. Asians have the least prevalence of trauma. Each of the races also shows the varying prevalence of different types of trauma. On average, whites are more susceptible to all types of trauma while Blacks and Hispanics are more susceptible to trauma from child abuse and domestic violence.

War-based trauma however shows higher prevalence among Asians, male Blacks, and female Hispanics (Roberts, Gilman, Breslau, J., Breslau, N., & Koenen, 2010).