Negative experiences during childhood – abuse, harassment, poverty or family conflicts – are known to increase the risk of psychological disorders. But they do not systematically determine the destiny of individuals. A new study led by UNSW Sydney reveals that many people who have experienced childhood trauma manage to maintain good levels of mental wellbeing into adulthood.
Published in the journal American Psychologist, the results show that resilience plays a central role in the long-term psychological trajectory.
A majority of people remain mentally healthy
The study draws on data from the TWIN-10 longitudinal survey, which followed more than 1,600 healthy adult Australian twins between 2009 and 2024. The researchers assessed their mental well-being several times using the COMPAS-W scale, which measures calm, self-esteem, life satisfaction or the ability to achieve goals.
Among the participants, nearly 900 reported having experienced at least one difficult event during childhood. Despite this, around two-thirds maintained moderate to high levels of well-being into adulthood. For comparison, more than 85% of people who did not experience trauma remained in the highest well-being group.
“Childhood challenges can be traumatic, but they don’t have to determine a person’s entire life“, underlines the principal researcher of the study, Justine Gatt.
Resilience, a key factor for mental health
The scientists identified two profiles among participants who had experienced childhood trauma: a “resilient” group, which maintained a good level of well-being, and an “at risk” group, more vulnerable to psychological difficulties.
People in the resilient group have significant long-term advantages. They have a 74% lower risk of developing a psychiatric illness, but also fewer sleep problems, obesity, migraines or alcohol abuse. They also report stronger social relationships, more support and higher life satisfaction.
These results show that mental well-being can be rebuilt and evolve positively over time, even after difficult experiences.
Investing in well-being from an early age
For researchers, these conclusions invite a rethinking of mental health policies. Rather than focusing solely on psychological distress, they advocate for strategies to build well-being and resilience starting in childhood.
According to the research team, promoting healthy lifestyle habits, effective stress management strategies and strong social support could help more people overcome early trauma. The objective: to consider mental health not only as the absence of disorders, but as a positive capacity that can be developed throughout life.