Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

School-Related Outcomes of Traumatic Event Exposure and Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Students: A Systematic Review of Research from 1990 to 2015

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
School Mental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to identify school-related outcomes associated with trauma in school-aged youth. The sample of articles (n = 83) included data on school-aged youth (pre-kindergarten to grade 12) who were 18 years or younger. Cognitive, academic, and teacher reported social-emotional-behavioral outcomes associated with traumatic event exposure and traumatic stress symptoms were examined. The findings from this systematic review further assist educators and school professionals in recognizing the potential impact of traumatic event exposure and traumatic stress symptoms on school-related functioning. Implications for future research include the need to utilize clear operational definitions of traumatic event exposure and traumatic stress symptoms to allow for aggregation of findings across studies, to conduct longitudinal studies to be conducted within the school context, and to take the critical next step of school-based trauma interventions to incorporate school-related outcomes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

*denotes article included in systematic review

  • *Ackerman, P. T., Newton, J. E., McPherson, W. B., Jones, J. G., & Dykman, R. A. (1998). Prevalence of post traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric diagnoses in three groups of abused children (sexual, physical, and both). Child Abuse and Neglect, 22, 759–774. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(98)00062-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Armsworth, M. W., & Holaday, M. (1993). The effects of psychological trauma on children and adolescents. Journal of Counseling and Development, 72, 49–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Barrera, M., Calderón, L., & Bell, V. (2013). The cognitive impact of sexual abuse and PTSD in children: A neuropsychological study. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse: Research, Treatment, & Program Innovations for Victims, Survivors, & Offenders, 22, 625–638. doi:10.1080/10538712.2013.811141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Becker-Weidman, A. (2009). Effects of early maltreatment on development: A descriptive study using the Vineland adaptive behavior scales-II. Child Welfare, 88, 137–161.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Beers, S. R., & De Bellis, M. D. (2002). Neuropsychological function in children with maltreatment-related posttraumatic stress disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 159, 483–486. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.159.3.483.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Bosquet Enlow, M., Egeland, B., Blood, E. A., Wright, R. O., & Wright, R. J. (2012). Interpersonal traumatic event exposure and cognitive development in children to age 8 years: A longitudinal study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 26, 41–65. doi:10.1136/jech-2011-200727.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, N. K., & Bowen, G. L. (1999). Effects of crime and violence in neighborhoods and schools on the school behavior and performance of adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 14, 319–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Briscoe-Smith, A. M., & Hinshaw, S. P. (2006). Linkages between child abuse and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls: Behavioral and social correlates. Child Abuse and Neglect, 30, 1239–1255. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.04.008.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bronstein, I., & Montgomery, P. (2011). Psychological distress in refugee children: A systematic review. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 14, 44–56. doi:10.1007/s10567-010-0081-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, E. J. (2003). Child physical abuse: Risk for psychopathology and efficacy of interventions. Current Psychiatry Reports, 5, 87–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Bücker, J., Kapczinski, F., Post, R., Ceresér, K. M., Szobot, C., Yatham, L. N., et al. (2012). Cognitive impairment in school-aged children with early trauma. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 53, 758–764. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2011.12.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, N. J., Hellman, J. L., Scott, B. G., Weems, C. F., & Carrion, V. G. (2011). The impact of adverse childhood experiences on an urban pediatric population. Child Abuse and Neglect, 35, 408–413.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Chae, Y., Goodman, G. S., Eisen, M. L., & Qin, J. (2011). Event memory and suggestibility in abused and neglected children: Trauma-related psychopathology and cognitive functioning. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 110, 520–538. doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2011.05.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chafouleas, S. M., Johnson, A. H., Overstreet, S., & Santos, N. M. (2015). Toward a blueprint for trauma-informed service delivery in schools. School Mental Health. doi:10.1007/s12310-015-9166-8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Copeland, W. E., Keeler, G., Angold, A., & Costello, E. J. (2007). Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress in childhood. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64, 577–584. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.64.5.577.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Couto, T. C., Brancaglion, M. Y. M., Alvim-Soares, A., Moreira, L., Duarte Garcia, F., Nicolato, R., et al. (2015). Postpartum depression: A systematic review of the genetics involved. World Journal of Psychiatry, 5, 103–111. doi:10.5498/wjp.v5.i1.103.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Crozier, J. C., & Barth, R. P. (2005). Cognitive and academic functioning in maltreated children. Children & Schools, 27, 197–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Daignault, I. V., & Hébert, M. (2009). Profiles of school adaptation: Social, behavioral and academic functioning in sexually abused girls. Child Abuse and Neglect, 33, 102–115. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2008.06.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Daud, A., af Klinteberg, B., & Rydelius, P.-A. (2008). Resilience and vulnerability among refugee children of traumatized and non-traumatized parents. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health,. doi:10.1186/1753-2000-2-7.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Daud, A., & Rydelius, P. A. (2009). Comorbidity/overlapping between ADHD and PTSD in relation to IQ among children of traumatized/non-traumatized parents. Journal of Attention Disorders, 13, 188–196. doi:10.1177/1087054708326271.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, A. S., Moss, L. E., Nogin, M. M., & Webb, N. E. (2015). Neuropsychology of child maltreatment and implications for school psychologists. Psychology in the Schools, 52, 77–91. doi:10.1002/pits.21806.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *De Bellis, M. D., Hooper, S. R., Spratt, E. G., & Woolley, D. P. (2009). Neuropsychological findings in childhood neglect and their relationships to pediatric PTSD. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 15, 868–878. doi:10.1017/S1355617709990464.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • De Bellis, M. D., & Thomas, L. A. (2003). Biologic findings of post-traumatic stress disorder and child maltreatment. Current Psychiatry Reports, 5, 108–117. doi:10.1007/s11920-003-0027-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Bellis, M. D., & Van Dillen, T. (2005). Childhood post-traumatic stress disorder: An overview. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 14, 745–772. doi:10.10/b/j.chc.2005.05.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *De Bellis, M. D., Woolley, D. P., & Hooper, S. R. (2013). Neuropsychological findings in pediatric maltreatment: Relationship of PTSD, dissociative symptoms, and abuse/neglect indices to neurocognitive outcomes. Child Maltreatment, 18, 171–183. doi:10.1177/1077559513497420.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Bellis, M. D., & Zisk, A. (2014). The biological effects of childhood trauma. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 23, 185–222. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2014.01.002.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Delaney-Black, V., Covington, C., Ondersma, S. J., Nordstrom-Klee, B., Templin, T., Ager, J., et al. (2002). Violence exposure, trauma, and IQ and/or reading deficits among urban children. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 156, 280–285. doi:10.1097/00004703-200208000-00040.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *DePrince, A. P., Weinzierl, K. M., & Combs, M. D. (2008). Stroop performance, dissociation, and traumatic event exposure in a community sample of children. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 9, 209–223. doi:10.1080/15299730802048603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *DePrince, A. P., Weinzierl, K. M., & Combs, M. D. (2009). Executive function performance and traumatic event exposure in a community sample of children. Child Abuse and Neglect, 33, 353–361. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2008.08.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dickersin, K. (2002). Systematic reviews in epidemiology: Why are we so far behind? International Journal of Epidemiology, 31, 6–12. doi:10.1093/ije/31.1.6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dimitry, L. (2012). A systematic review on the mental health of children and adolescents in areas of armed conflict in the Middle East. Child: Care, Health and Development, 38, 153–161. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01246.x.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Duplechain, R., Reigner, R., & Packard, A. (2008). Striking differences: The impact of moderate and high trauma on reading achievement. Reading Psychology, 29, 117–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Eckenrode, J., Laird, M., & Doris, J. (1993). School performance and disciplinary problems among abused and neglected children. Developmental Psychology, 29, 53–62. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.29.1.53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Eckenrode, J., Rowe, E., Laird, M., & Brathwaite, J. (1995). Mobility as a mediator of the effects of child maltreatment on academic performance. Child Development, 66, 1130–1142.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Elbert, T., Schauer, M., Schauer, E., Huschka, B., Hirth, M., & Neuner, F. (2009). Trauma-related impairment in children-A survey in Sri Lankan provinces affected by armed conflict. Child Abuse and Neglect, 33, 238–246. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2008.02.008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Fantuzzo, J. W., Perlman, S. M., & Dobbins, E. K. (2011). Types and timing of child maltreatment and early school success: A population-based investigation. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 1404–1411. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.04.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Felitti, V. J., & Anda, R. F. (1997). The adverse childhood experiences (ACE) study. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ace/index.htm.

  • Finkelhor, D., Turner, H. A., Shattuck, A., & Hamby, S. L. (2015). Prevalence of childhood exposure to violence, crime, and abuse. JAMA Pediatrics, 168, 540–546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Finzi-Dottan, R., Dekel, R., Lavi, T., & Su’ali, T. (2006). Posttraumatic stress disorder reactions among children with learning disabilities exposed to terror attacks. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 47, 144–151. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2005.05.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Frankel, K. A., Boetsch, E. A., & Harmon, R. J. (2000). Elevated picture completion scores: A possible indicator of hypervigilance in maltreated preschoolers. Child Abuse and Neglect, 24, 63–70. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(99)00110-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, R., Widom, C. S., Browne, K., Fergusson, D., Webb, E., & Janson, S. (2009). Burden and consequences of child maltreatment in high-income countries. The Lancet, 373(9657), 68–81. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61706-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Graham-Bermann, S. A., Howell, K. H., Miller, L. E., Kwek, J., & Lilly, M. M. (2010). Traumatic events and maternal education as predictors of verbal ability for preschool children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV). Journal of Family Violence, 25, 383–392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenhalgh, T., & Peacock, R. (2005). Effectiveness and efficiency of search methods in systematic reviews of complex evidence: Audit of primary sources. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), 331(7524), 1064–1065. doi:10.1136/bmj.38636.593461.68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Hadi, F. A., & Llabre, M. M. (1998). The gulf crisis experience of Kuwaiti children: Psychological and cognitive factors. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 11, 45–56. doi:10.1023/A:1024453015176.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Hasanovic, M., Haracic, E., Ahmetspahic, Š., Kurtovic, S., & Haracic, H. (2009). The psychological disturbances of war-traumatized adolescents in rural and urban areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina and correlation with poverty and hopelessness. International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health, 2, 81–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Henrich, C. C., Schwab-Stone, M., Fanti, K., Jones, S. M., & Ruchkin, V. (2004). The association of community violence exposure with middle-school achievement: A prospective study. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 25, 327–348. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2004.04.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Henry, J., Sloane, M., & Black-Pond, C. (2007). Neurobiology and neurodevelopmental impact of childhood traumatic stress and prenatal alcohol exposure. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 38, 99–108. doi:10.1044/0161-1461(2007/010).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Hurt, H., Malmud, E., Brodsky, N. L., & Giannetta, J. (2001). Exposure to violence: Psychological and academic correlates in child witnesses. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 155, 1351–1356. doi:10.1001/archpedi.155.12.1351.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Husain, S. A., Allwood, M. A., & Bell, D. J. (2008). The relationship between PTSD symptoms and attention problems in children exposed to the Bosnian War. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 16, 52–62. doi:10.1177/1063426607310847.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Jones, D. A., Trudinger, P., & Crawford, M. (2004). Intelligence and achievement of children referred following sexual abuse. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 40, 455–460. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1754.2004.00427.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Jones, M. C., Dauphinais, P., Sack, W. H., & Somervell, P. D. (1997). Trauma-related symptomatology among American Indian adolescents. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 10, 163–173. doi:10.1023/A:1024852810736.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, P. T., & O’Donnell, D. A. (2003). Consequences of child exposure to war and terrorism. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 6, 275–292. doi:10.1023/B:CCFP.0000006294.88201.08.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Kar, N., Mohapatra, P. K., Nayak, K. C., Pattanaik, P., Swain, S. P., & Kar, H. C. (2007). Post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents one year after a super-cyclone in Orissa, India: Exploring cross-cultural validity and vulnerability factors. BMC Psychiatry, 7, 8. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-7-8.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Kira, I. A., Lewandowski, L., Ashby, J. S., Somers, C., Chiodo, L., & Odenat, L. (2014). Does bullying victimization suppress IQ? The effects of bullying victimization on IQ in Iraqi and African American adolescents: A traumatology perspective. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 23, 431–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Kira, I. A., Lewandowski, L., Somers, C. L., Yoon, J. S., & Chiodo, L. (2012a). The effects of trauma types, cumulative trauma, and PTSD on IQ in two highly traumatized adolescent groups. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 4, 128–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Kira, I. A., Somers, C., Lewandowski, L., & Chiodo, L. (2012b). Attachment disruptions, IQ, and PTSD in African American adolescents: A traumatology perspective. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 21, 665–690. doi:10.1080/10926771.2012.698377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Kočovská, E., Puckering, C., Follan, M., Smillie, M., Gorski, C., Barnes, J., et al. (2012). Neurodevelopmental problems in maltreated children referred with indiscriminate friendliness. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 33, 1560–1565. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2012.02.016.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, Y., Powelson, S. E., Wong, H., Ghali, W. A., & Conly, J. M. (2014). An assessment of the efficacy of searching in biomedical databases beyond MEDLINE in identifying studies for a systematic review on ward closures as an infection control intervention to control outbreaks. Systematic Reviews, 3(1), 135. doi:10.1186/2046-4053-3-135.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Lamers-Winkelman, F., Willemen, A. M., & Visser, M. (2012). Adverse childhood experiences of referred children exposed to intimate partner violence: Consequences for their wellbeing. Child Abuse and Neglect, 36, 166–179. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.07.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Lansford, J. E., Dodge, K. A., Pettit, G. S., Bates, J. E., Crozier, J., & Kaplow, J. (2002). A 12-year prospective study of the long-term effects of early child physical maltreatment on psychological, behavioral, and academic problems in adolescence. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 156, 824–830. doi:10.1001/archpedi.156.8.824.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linares, L. O., Batinjane, J., Kramer, R. A., Silva, R., & Cloitre, M. (2012). Factors related to posttraumatic stress disorder in adolescence. Trauma Violence Abuse, 13, 153–166.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lubit, R., Rovine, D., DeFrancisci, L., & Eth, S. (2003). Impact of trauma on children. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 9, 128–138. doi:10.1097/00131746-200303000-00004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *March, J. S., Amaya-Jackson, L., Terry, R., & Costanzo, P. (1997). Posttraumatic symptomatology in children and adolescents after an industrial fire. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36, 1080–1088. doi:10.1097/00004583-199708000-00015.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Margolin, G., & Gordis, E. B. (2000). The effects of family and community violence on children. Annual Review of Psychology, 51, 445–479. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.51.1.445.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Masten, C. L., Guyer, A. E., Hodgdon, H. B., McClure, E. B., Charney, D. S., Ernst, M., et al. (2008). Recognition of facial emotions among maltreated children with high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder. Child Abuse and Neglect, 32, 139–153. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.09.006.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Mathews, T., Dempsey, M., & Overstreet, S. (2009). Effects of exposure to community violence on school functioning: The mediating role of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47, 586–591. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2009.04.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *McCart, M. R., Davies, W. H., Phelps, L. F., Heuermann, W., & Melzer-Lange, M. D. (2006). Psychosocial needs of African American youth presenting to a pediatric emergency department with assault-related injuries. Pediatric Emergency Care, 22, 154–159. doi:10.1097/01.pec.0000202453.42108.f1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *McChesney, G. C., Adamson, G., & Shevlin, M. (2015). Service use patterns and mental health symptoms among adolescents exposed to multiple types of trauma. Journal of Adolescence, 40, 1–10. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.01.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin, K. A., Koenen, K. C., Hill, E. D., Petukhova, M., Sampson, N. A., Zaslavsky, A. M., et al. (2013). Traumatic event exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder in a national sample of adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 52, 780–783.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *McLean, C. P., Rosenbach, S. B., Capaldi, S., & Foa, E. B. (2013). Social and academic functioning in adolescents with child sexual abuse-related PTSD. Child Abuse and Neglect, 37, 675–678. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.03.010.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *McLeer, S. V., Dixon, J. F., Henry, D., Ruggiero, K., Escovitz, K., Niedda, T., et al. (1998). Psychopathology in non-clinically referred sexually abused children. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 37, 1326–1333. doi:10.1097/00004583-199812000-00017.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Miller, T., el-Masri, M., Allodi, F., & Qouta, S. (2007). Emotional and behavioural problems and traumatic event exposure of school-age Palestinian children in Gaza: some preliminary findings. Medicine, Conflict, and Survival, 15, 368–378; discussion 391–393. doi:10.1080/13623699908409478.

  • *Milot, T., Éthier, L. S., St-Laurent, D., & Provost, M. A. (2010). The role of trauma symptoms in the development of behavioral problems in maltreated preschoolers. Child Abuse and Neglect, 34, 225–234. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.07.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Moradi, A. R., Doost, H. T., Taghavi, M. R., Yule, W., & Dalgleish, T. (1999). Everyday memory deficits in children and adolescents with PTSD: Performance on the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 40, 357–361. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, C. C., & Son, L. (1998). The effect of multiple victimization on children’s cognition. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 2, 131–146. doi:10.1300/J146v02n01_08.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (2003). The defining trauma and child traumatic stress. Retrieved from http://www.nctsn.org/content/defining-trauma-and-child-traumatic-stress.

  • Nelson, L. P., & Gold, J. I. (2012). Posttraumatic stress disorder in children and their parents following admission to the pediatric intensive care unit. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 13, 338–347. doi:10.1097/PCC.0b013e3182196a8f.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Ogata, K. (2012). Relationships among child maltreatment, picture completion test, and posttraumatic symptoms: Two examinations using WISC-III for Japanese Children. Psychology, 3, 601–605. doi:10.4236/psych.2012.38090.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olofsson, E., Bunketorp, O., & Andersson, A. L. (2009). Children and adolescents injured in traffic—associated psychological consequences: A literature review. Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics, 98, 17–22. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00998.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Overstreet, S., & Mathews, T. (2011). Challenges associated with exposure to chronic trauma: Using a public health framework to foster resilient outcomes among youth. Psychology in the Schools, 48, 738–754.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Ozer, E. J., & McDonald, K. L. (2006). Exposure to violence and mental health among Chinese American urban adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39, 73–79. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.09.015.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Panter-Brick, C., Eggerman, M., Gonzalez, V., & Safdar, S. (2009). Violence, suffering, and mental health in Afghanistan: A school-based survey. The Lancet, 374, 807–816. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61080-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paolucci, E. O., Genuis, M. L., & Violato, C. (2001). A meta-analysis of the published research on the effects of child sexual abuse. Journal of Psychology, 135, 17–36. doi:10.1080/00223980109603677.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Park, S., Kim, B.-N., Choi, N.-H., Ryu, J., McDermott, B., Cobham, V., et al. (2014). The effect of persistent posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms on executive functions in preadolescent children witnessing a single incident of death. Anxiety, Stress & Coping: An International Journal, 27, 241–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Pears, K. C., Kim, H. K., Fisher, P. A., & Yoerger, K. (2013). Early school engagement and late elementary outcomes for maltreated children in foster care. Developmental Psychology, 49, 2201–2211.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perry, B. D., & Pollard, R. (1998). Homeostasis, stress, trauma, and adaptation. A neurodevelopmental view of childhood trauma. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 7, 33–51, viii.

  • *Perzow, S. E. D., Petrenko, C. L. M., Garrido, E. F., Combs, M. D., Culhane, S. E., & Taussig, H. N. (2013). Dissociative symptoms and academic functioning in maltreated children: A preliminary study. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 14, 302–311. doi:10.1080/15299732.2012.736928.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polanczyk, G., Silva de Lima, M., Horta, B. L., Biederman, J., & Rohde, L. A. (2007). The worldwide prevalence of ADHD: A systematic review and metaregression analysis. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 164, 942–948.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Porter, C., Lawson, J. S., & Bigler, E. D. (2005). Neurobehavioral sequelae of child sexual abuse. Child Neuropsychology: A Journal on Normal and Abnormal Development in Childhood and Adolescence, 11, 203–220. doi:10.1080/092970490911379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Punamäki, R. L., Qouta, S., & El-Sarraj, E. (1997). Models of traumatic experiences and children’s psychological adjustment: the roles of perceived parenting and the children’s own resources and activity. Child Development, 68, 718–728. doi:10.2307/1132121.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Punamäki, R. L., Qouta, S., & El-Sarraj, E. (2001). Resiliency factors predicting psychological adjustment after political violence among Palestinian children. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 25, 256–267. doi:10.1080/01650250042000294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Reyome, N. D. (1994). Teacher ratings of the achievement-related classroom behaviors of maltreated and non-maltreated children. Psychology in the Schools, 31, 253–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Rosen, P. J., Milich, R., & Harris, M. J. (2007). Victims of their own cognitions: Implicit social cognitions, emotional distress, and peer victimization. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 28, 211–226. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2007.02.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Rousseau, C., & Drapeau, A. (2000). Scholastic achievement of adolescent refugees from Cambodia and Central America. Adolescence, 35, 243–258.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Saigh, P. A., Mroueh, M., & Bremner, J. D. (1997). Scholastic impairments among traumatized adolescents. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 35, 429–436. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(96)00111-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Saigh, P. A., Yasik, A. E., Oberfield, R. A., Halamandaris, P. V., & Bremner, J. D. (2006). The intellectual performance of traumatized children and adolescents with or without posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 115, 332–340. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.115.2.332.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Saltzman, K. M., Weems, C. F., & Carrion, V. G. (2006). IQ and posttraumatic stress symptoms in children exposed to interpersonal violence. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 36, 261–272. doi:10.1007/s10578-005-0002-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, B. E. (2003). Understanding children exposed to violence: Toward an integration of overlapping fields. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 18, 356–376. doi:10.1177/0886260502250840.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, B. E., & Adams, Z. W. (2014). Epidemiology of traumatic experiences in childhood. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 23, 167–184. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2013.12.003.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Schoeman, R., Carey, P., & Seedat, S. (2009). Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in South African adolescents: A case–control study of cognitive deficits. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 197, 244–250. doi:10.1097/NMD.0b013e31819d9533.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Schwartz, D., & Gorman, A. H. (2003). Community violence exposure and children’s academic functioning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 163–173. doi:10.1037/0022-0663.95.1.163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, J. A. (2003). Children exposed to war/terrorism. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 6, 237–246. doi:10.1023/B:CCFP.0000006291.10180.bd.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Shaw, J. A., Applegate, B., & Schorr, C. (1996). Twenty-one-month follow-up study of school-age children exposed to Hurricane Andrew. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35, 359–364. doi:10.1097/00004583-199603000-00018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Shaw, J. A., Applegate, B., Tanner, S., Perez, D., Rothe, E., Campo-Bowen, A. E., et al. (1995). Psychological effects of Hurricane Andrew on an elementary school population. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 1185–1192. doi:10.1097/00004583-199509000-00016.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Shears, D., Nadel, S., Gledhill, J., & Garralda, M. E. (2005). Short-term psychiatric adjustment of children and their parents following meningococcal disease. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 6, 39–43. doi:10.1097/01.PCC.0000144705.81825.EE.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Shonk, S. M., & Cicchetti, D. (2001). Maltreatment, competency deficits, and risk for academic and behavioral maladjustment. Developmental Psychology, 37, 3–17. doi:10.1097//0212-1649.37.1.3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014.

  • *Thompson, T., & Massat, C. R. (2005). Experiences of violence, post-traumatic stress, academic achievement and behavior problems of urban African-American children. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 22, 367–393. doi:10.1007/s10560-005-0018-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Trickett, P. K., Kim, K., & Prindle, J. (2011). Variations in emotional abuse experiences among multiply maltreated young adolescents and relations with developmental outcomes. Child Abuse and Neglect, 35, 876–886. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.08.001.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, C. (2015). Ruling in Compton Schools Case: Trauma Could Cause Disability. National Public Radio. October 1, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/10/01/445001579/ruling-in-compton-schools-case-trauma-could-cause-disability.

  • *Vallone, R., Addona, F., D’Elia, L., & Vicari, S. (2009). Child abuse: A multidisciplinary approach. Paediatrics and Child Health, 19, S207–S210. doi:10.1016/j.paed.2009.08.021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Kolk, B. A., Ruth, S., Pelcovitz, D., Sunday, S., & Spinazzola, J. (2005). Disorders of extreme stress: The empirical foundation of a complex adaptation to trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 18, 389–399.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Viezel, K. D., Freer, B. D., Lowell, A., & Castillo, J. A. (2015). Cognitive abilities of maltreated children. Psychology in the Schools, 52, 92–106. doi:10.1002/pits.21809.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C. W., Chan, C. L. W., & Ho, R. T. H. (2013). Prevalence and trajectory of psychopathology among child and adolescent survivors of disasters: A systematic review of epidemiological studies across 1987–2011. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 48, 1697–1720. doi:10.1007/s00127-013-0731-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Wodarski, J. S., Kurtz, P. D., Gaudin, J. M., & Howing, P. T. (1990). Maltreatment and the school-age child: Major academic, socioemotional, and adaptive outcomes. The Social Worker, 35, 506–513.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yule, W. (2001). Posttraumatic stress disorder in the general population and in children. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 62, 23–28.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies, University of Arizona, 1430 E. 2nd ST., Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA

    Michelle M. Perfect & Matt R. Turley

  2. Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, USA

    John S. Carlson, Justina Yohanna & Marla Pfenninger Saint Gilles

Authors
  1. Michelle M. Perfect
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Matt R. Turley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John S. Carlson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Justina Yohanna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marla Pfenninger Saint Gilles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michelle M. Perfect.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

None of the authors declare a conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Perfect, M.M., Turley, M.R., Carlson, J.S. et al. School-Related Outcomes of Traumatic Event Exposure and Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Students: A Systematic Review of Research from 1990 to 2015. School Mental Health 8, 7–43 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-016-9175-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-016-9175-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation