Most children who experience abuse, bullying, and household dysfunction maintain moderate to high mental wellbeing into adulthood, according to a 12-year study.
Two-thirds of people who endured childhood trauma managed to thrive decades after, according to the University of New South Wales Sydney research released today.
This is compared to more than 85 percent of study participants who did not face childhood trauma and stayed in the higher wellbeing group.
It suggests that while adverse childhood experiences have a negative impact, they don’t lock a child into a difficult life-long path, said Adjunct Professor Justine Gatt who was the study’s chief investigator.
“What surprised me most was how people can maintain and rebuild their wellbeing over time, even after early adversity,” Prof Gatt said.
“It shows why investing in wellbeing is just as important as treating distress.”
The study published in American Psychologist, followed 1600 healthy, adult Australian twins from 2009 to 2024.
The team measured 17 types of adverse childhood events, including adoption, extreme poverty and neglect, sustained family conflict, life-threatening illness, and domestic violence.
They also looked at household income, social status, and employment status.
Those in the “resilient” group were 75 percent less likely than their “low-resilience” peers to develop a psychiatric illness, and were at a much lower risk of obesity, migraines, insomnia, or alcohol abuse.
They also reported better relationships and social support, higher life satisfaction, and more positive coping strategies.
Prof Gatt and the research team called for the expansion of programs that build resilience in schools, GP clinics and community services.
They said focusing on prevention and wellbeing is likely to reduce healthcare costs later in life.
“Mental health should be proactively treated as a positive capacity that can be built, not just a crisis to be managed when things fall apart,” Prof Gatt said.
