Healthy adaptation in individuals with adverse childhood experiences

Exposure to interpersonal violence and other adverse experiences in childhood (such as parent’s death, household dysfunction, family members with substance use disorders) has been associated with harmful internalising and externalising outcomes, including personality disorders, suicidal and self-harming behaviour, aggression, and violent offending. Although research to date has largely focused on negative consequences of victimisation, not all individuals with such experiences develop symptoms of psychopathology. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to build a better understanding of factors which result in increased resilience and/or positive consequences among people with a history of victimisation/trauma in childhood.