Advisory Committee Chair
David C Knight
Advisory Committee Members
Despina Stavrinos
Christianne E Strang
Kristina M Visscher
Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2021
Degree Name by School
Master of Arts (MA) College of Arts and Sciences
Abstract
About 90% of the population will experience a traumatic event within their lifetime, but only a small percentage of this population will develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD has a profound impact on the developing brain, specifically neural circuits that support fear learning, memory, and regulation processes. Child PTSD is associated with structural and functional abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex, which effect emotion regulation, memory, threat processing, and fear extinction. These neurological effects on the developing brain have serious implications for academic achievement, but with institutional interventions, schools have been able to effectively reduce the psychological distress and academic regression that is associated with PTSD. Overall, the research on child PTSD is still very limited, and there is a need for more studies on this pediatric population to clarify conflicting findings in previous research. The following paper will review the current literature related to the impact that PTSD has on the developing brain and will discuss educational considerations.
Recommended Citation
Buford, Kristen N., "The Impact Posttraumatic Stress Disorde on the Developing Brain and Educational Considerations" (2021). All ETDs from UAB. 516.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/516