SEVERAL FACTORS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO LOW EXPOSURE TO TRAUMATIC STRESS
Hello!
The test you answered is an indicator of your level of trauma and the impacts it may have on your life. Your results suggest that you have few symptoms associated with psychological trauma. This does not mean that you have not faced challenges throughout your life, but that your exposure to traumatic stress in childhood was relatively low, OR that you have found healthy and effective coping mechanisms for the potentially traumatic experiences you have endured. The abilities to deal with stress, to recover from adversity, to trust oneself and others, and to have quality relationships are greatly impaired by trauma, but this does not seem to be the case for you. Several factors can contribute to low exposure to traumatic stress, as well as to the development of healthy strategies for coping with difficulties – these are called protective factors against trauma. Among them, we can highlight:
Stable family environment
If you grew up in a safe and stable family environment, with loving parents or caregivers who were attentive to your needs, know that this went a long way toward reducing your exposure to traumatic stress -- one of the biggest causes of psychological trauma in childhood and adolescence. Mature parents or caregivers, who remain calm in times of stress, respect each other and treat children with respect, and who do not place their own needs and expectations on them, create a positive model for coping with difficulties.
Healthy family relationships, where everyone feels safe and accepted, are the basis for emotional and cognitive development, so essential for maintaining balance and resilience in adult life.
HEALTHY FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, WHERE EVRYONE FEELS SAFE AND ACCEPTED, ARE THE BASIS FOR EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Social network support
You may have had a strong social support network, with good friends, close relatives, trusted teachers or mentors, and this helped you have more peace of mind in dealing with life's challenges. Science emphasizes the importance of positive social relationships and emotional support to minimize the negative effects of traumatic experiences.
Financial resources and access to health services
If your family had adequate financial resources, access to mental health services, family therapy, medical care, and educational information (important protective factors against trauma), they were better able to create a safe and stable environment than families who did not have access to such resources. These protective factors certainly contributed to your optimal development.
Individual resilience
Some people are naturally better able at dealing with stress and adversity than others. Aspects such as temperament, personality and self-esteem influence the development of resilience and protect against the negative impacts of trauma. Studies suggest that people with a more extroverted nature suffer less emotional and physical damage resulting from trauma than those who are naturally more introverted, as the former would have an easier time asking for help and sharing what they feel, while the latter would deal alone with the burden of trauma due to to their tendency to isolate.
THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESILIENCE
Genetic factors
Several studies argue that there may be a genetic component associated with resilience and susceptibility to trauma, which manifests itself in the degree of sensitivity of each of us – so that the most sensitive, with a delicate spirit, inevitably suffer more. However, it is important to note that the interplay between genetic and environmental factors plays a crucial role in the development of resilience.
YOUR FULL REPORT? YES!
This is a generic report prepared from your test results. Would you like to know exactly how you scored in each category assessed, and how the signs of trauma affect your life? We will be happy to prepare a detailed individual report. Please complete this form to make your request.
Want to know more?
Do you want to know about the types of trauma and their life-long consequences? About trauma prevention, dysfunctional families and abusive relationships? And what is the role of society in causing and preventing trauma? Discover our online courses, workshops and lectures at our services page.
