Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents

The term complex trauma describes the problem of children's exposure to multiple or prolonged traumatic events and the impact of this exposure on their development. Typically, complex trauma exposure involves the simultaneous or sequential occurrence of child maltreatment—including psychological maltreatment, neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and domestic violence—that is chronic, begins in early childhood, and occurs within the primary care giving system. Exposure to these initial traumatic experiences—and the resulting emotional dysregulation and the loss of safety, direction, and the ability to detect or respond to danger cues—often sets off a chain of events leading to subsequent or repeated trauma exposure in adolescence and adulthood.

Complex Trauma Speaker Series
Since 2008, experts from the NCTSN have presented the Complex Trauma Speaker Series. All presentations are available through the NCTSN Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma.  Access to all presentations in the NCTSN Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma is free, and continuing education credits are available. 

Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents (2003) (PDF)
A white paper from the NCTSN Complex Trauma Task Force

Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents (PDF)
This article appeared in the winter 2007 issue of the journal Focal Point. It is an adaptation and update of the Network white paper listed above. Click here to access the article. Focal Point is a publication of the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health.

Complex Trauma in the NCTSN (PDF)
Results of an NCTSN survey on complex trauma exposure, outcomes, and treatment approaches for impacted children and their families who received intervention and/or comprehensive assessment services in 2002.