تأثير صدمات الطفولة المبكرة و التجارب السلبية على تطور الإدمان في مرحلة البلوغ; دراسة أسترجاعية

Influence of Early Childhood Trauma and Adverse Experiences on Development of Addiction in Adulthood; A retrospective Study.

Abstract

Background: Addiction is a phenomena that affect people in different age groups worldwide. There are many factors that affect its prevalence. Scientists suggested that there is a link between childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences and addiction. This study was conducted to identify the influence of early childhood trauma and adverse experiences on developing addiction in adulthood.
Methods: A retrospective (descriptive) design was used in the present study to determine early childhood trauma and adverse experiences that influence on developing addiction in adulthood, The study was conducted over a specific timeframe, from September 26th, 2023, to July 3th, 2024. The study utilized a questionnaire comprising four sections: First to gather sociodemographic data of addict patients; Second, Early Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Forma (CTQ-SF); Third section, adverse Childhood experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire and four section a Simple Screening Instrument for Alcohol and Other Drugs (SSI-AOD). Reliability of questionnaire for; childhood trauma (r = 0.925), adverse childhood trauma (r = 0.793), and alcohol and drugs screen (r = 0.890). Convenient sampling was employed, involving 142 addict patients admitted to psychiatric unit or visiting psychiatric consultation. Data analysis encompassed descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The results revealed that the exposure to early childhood trauma and adverse childhood experience have a significant influence on addiction in adults later, and there is a significant difference in severity of addiction with regard to level of education.
Conclusions: Developing of addiction in adulthood has increased by increasing early childhood trauma and adverse experiences.
Recommendations: Increasing awareness programs on television about the risks of early childhood trauma, adverse experiences and its influence on developing of negative behaviors like addiction.