![]() Launched in 1967, the database contains daily, lifelong observations of more than 400 mountain gorillas monitored in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. ![]() The new study was made possible by the existence of a unique database currently managed by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a nonprofit conservation group in Rwanda. But it’s difficult to disentangle those observations from the fact that these animals are kept in unnatural settings. Evidence suggests that chimpanzees and bonobos who suffer early-life traumas in captivity oftentimes go on to develop long-term psychological problems. Studying how long-lived animals in the wild respond to early-life adversity is difficult, and until now, researchers did not have much insight into the impact such events have on nonhuman great apes. Understanding how one of our closest relatives copes with early life trauma could strengthen insights into why some people manage to do the same, she adds, whereas others continue to be haunted by negative childhood experiences throughout life. ![]() “For reasons we’re still trying to understand, gorillas seem to be remarkably resilient to early-life adversity,” says Stacy Rosenbaum, a biological anthropologist at the University of Michigan and senior author of the new paper. So long as young gorillas who experience adversity make it past the age of six, they will go on to lead lives just as long as their untraumatized peers, researchers reported on May 15 in Current Biology. But this tendency, seen across the animal kingdom, seems to have at least one exception: mountain gorillas. (2010).Whether you’re a human or an elephant, a baboon or a fish, adversity experienced early in life is often linked to negative effects on longevity and health in adulthood. “Early Childhood Trauma.” The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. enact elements of the trauma in play, drawing, or speaking.have stomachaches and/or headaches, and.develop feelings of self-blame, low self-confidence, and feelings of mistrust toward others, impacting their ability to establish friendships,.act out with anger or aggression in social situations or imitate traumatic experiences verbally or physically,.have delays in cognitive development or demonstrate learning disabilities,.have exaggerated emotional responses (such as screaming or crying).Īs kids grow, there are often more noticeable cognitive, behavioral, and physiological reactions.possess weaker verbal skills and more memory problems than older children, and.have digestive problems and low appetite and weight,.In addition, certain symptoms of trauma can appear at different times during a child’s development. exhibit regressive behaviors (such as wetting the bed after being toilet trained),.cry for reasons adults can’t figure out,.have separation anxiety or show fear of certain adults,.No matter their age, traumatized children may: It can be very difficult to identify trauma in young children, so it’s important to watch for behavioral changes. Trauma affects the whole body and the entire emotional world of the person experiencing it. Responses can go beyond immediate reactions to traumatic events and damage the child’s brain and nervous system, as well as overall physical health, creating long-term social, emotional, and physical problems. Every child’s response is unique. Some children “bounce back” after adversity others show intense distress. The symptoms of having experienced trauma can be different at every age and for every individual child. The power is in our hands.Īs you watch this video of two children’s different responses, consider these questions: What do you notice that is the same in the children’s responses to the traumatic experience? What is different? How does the grandfather make a difference in the end? However, there is good news: A caring adult can step in and change the trajectory. This video only shows one type of traumatic experience (domestic violence), but the impact of all traumatic experiences is universal. This will help you prepare as you share with parents the responses to trauma at different ages and stages (even babies respond to traumatic experiences)! As you watch, notice, consider, and reflect upon your own feelings and reactions. This video was created as a visual tool for understanding reactions to traumatic experiences at different ages, and to highlight the powerful role of caring adults.
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