The Role of Mindfulness in Reducing the Adverse Effects of Childhood Stress and Trauma

Children exposed to adverse experiences may suffer stress and trauma linked to poorer health in adulthood. Mindfulness interventions reduce depression, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms, and improve coping, mood, and quality of life in general and trauma-exposed adults. Studies in children and youth show mindfulness improves mental, behavioral, and physical outcomes. High-quality, structured mindfulness instruction may mitigate negative effects of childhood stress and trauma, improving short- and long-term outcomes and potentially reducing poor adult health. More research is needed to optimize youth mindfulness programs and study long-term outcomes into adulthood.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Research suggests that many children are exposed to adverse experiences in childhood. Such adverse childhood exposures may result in stress and trauma, which are associated with increased morbidity and mortality into adulthood. In general populations and trauma-exposed adults, mindfulness interventions have demonstrated reduced depression and anxiety, reduced trauma-related symptoms, enhanced coping and mood, and improved quality of life. Studies in children and youth also demonstrate that mindfulness interventions improve mental, behavioral, and physical outcomes. Taken together, this research suggests that high-quality, structured mindfulness instruction may mitigate the negative effects of stress and trauma related to adverse childhood exposures, improving short- and long-term outcomes, and potentially reducing poor health outcomes in adulthood. Future work is needed to optimize implementation of youth-based mindfulness programs and to study long-term outcomes into adulthood.