Las experiencias adversas en la infancia y sus secuelas psíquicas en la adultez

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences comprise a set of events and circumstances with a stressful and traumatic potential, which negatively affects the well-being of children and adolescents before they turn 18 years of age. These types of experiences also influence the environment in which the subjects who have suffered these events grow up, causing irreparable consequences that mark the life of the infant. The present study has a mixed approach to the extent that quantitative and qualitative data are analyzed where the consequences and psychological injuries of adverse experiences during childhood are evaluated. In addition, it has a cross-sectional descriptive scope, a phenomenological design was applied, which analyzes the subjective aspect of those involved in the research. The objective of the case analysis is to explore the psychological consequences in adults who have gone through adverse experiences during childhood. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was applied involving four people over 24 years of age who have had these experiences during childhood. Interviews were used as research instruments, through which valuable information was obtained about the adverse experiences experienced and their impact on their personality; The Adverse Experiences Test was also used, which is a questionnaire that allows assessing abuse and domestic dysfunction; In addition, the Derogatis 90 Symptom Check Questionnaire was used, which allows for the detection of symptoms of mental disorders and which can be self-administered, as well as the PAI Personality Test, which allows for the evaluation of clinical and personality variables. Prior to the application of the instruments, the informed consent was signed with the research subjects where guarantees that the data they provide is of absolute academic exclusivity. Once the request is accepted, data collection continues. Once the data had been specified, the categorization system was created, which consisted of: Adverse experiences in childhood, clinical symptoms and psychological consequences, and personality traits. The information collected in the interview and the Adverse Experiences Test indicates that the subjects investigated experienced physical, psychological and even sexual abuse, lived experiences of mothers treated with violence, who lived with people who were imprisoned and abused substances such as alcohol and drugs, these situations have left traces that interfere in their lives. Regarding the assessment of clinical symptoms and psychological sequelae, the Derogatis questionnaire was applied, which includes nine categories. The results indicate that two of the subjects investigated require treatment because they present severe pathology and another is at risk. In the PAI Personality Test, the results indicate that the prevalence is in paranoia and borderline traits, which are subscales of the clinical scales. Regarding the scales related to the treatment, it is evident that they present suicidal ideations. In conclusion, the adverse experiences that the investigated subjects lived left psychological injuries that last into adulthood and that marked their personality traits.