Potential traumatic events in early childhood and behavioural resilience: a longitudinal case control study

Abstract

Resilience can be evidenced when an exposure to potentially traumatic event (PTE) has no negative impact on behavior. This study explored the effects of exposure to PTE applying a longitudinal design with 592 children (mean age 4 years) followed across three years. Children who had experienced a PTE and those who had not, were compared over time. Behavioral difficulties and prosocial behaviour for children experiencing PTE did not differ from those who had not experienced a PTE suggesting resilience among the exposed children. PTE in itself seems to carry minimal risk for symptoms of behaviour difficulties among preschool children.

Keywords:

• Potentially traumatic events
• early childhood resilience
• behavioral difficulties
• prosocial behaviour

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the parents, children, and teachers who gave their time and attention to this study. We would also like to thank Rachel Leske and Deanne Armstrong for their helpful comments on previous drafts of this paper.