Traumatic memories of childhood maltreatment typically remain consistent over time, according to a major new study led by King’s College London and published in Nature Mental Health. The paper focuses on traumatic memories of childhood maltreatment, which could include emotional, physical or sexual abuse, or neglect. While memories of childhood maltreatment remain consistent, memories of childhood trauma reported in childhood are significantly less consistent over time than those reported in adulthood.
This research finding suggests there may be a window in childhood when traumatic memories are most open to change, and when therapeutic intervention could have the greatest long-term impact.
The research draws on data from nearly 40,000 people across 49 studies, with an average time between assessments of about two and a half years. It found that, overall, people’s accounts of childhood maltreatment are more consistent over time than is often assumed, refuting a widespread view that memories of abuse and neglect are inherently unreliable. This finding has direct relevance for how courts, social care professionals and clinicians interpret what children and adults tell them about their experiences.
