Story perspectives

Study Reveals 42% of Australians Face Childhood Trauma

11/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

The University of Sydney-led study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, finds that 42% of Australian adults experienced childhood trauma and faced a 50% higher risk of mental health and substance use disorders.
The research assessed 26 traumatic events, including abuse and witnessing violence, and linked trauma to anxiety, depression, and chronic health conditions.
Women reported higher trauma rates, and exclusions may understate the burden.

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Story summary

The University of Sydney-led study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, finds that 42% of Australian adults experienced childhood trauma and faced a 50% higher risk of mental health and substance use disorders.
The research assessed 26 traumatic events, including abuse and witnessing violence, and linked trauma to anxiety, depression, and chronic health conditions.
Women reported higher trauma rates, and exclusions may understate the burden.