An Analysis of Research Trends on Adults’ Experiences of Trauma during Childhood and Adolescence

This study aims to examine research trends on childhood and adolescent trauma in adults, organize related research results, and provide directions and implications for future research. The analysis subjects were 39 domestic academic journal papers published from 2009 to 2023 and 20 dissertations awarded from 2020 to February 2024, for a total of 59 papers. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistical analysis according to the analysis criteria of publication year, research subject, research method, research topic, measurement tool, analysis method, and research variables. The results of the analysis are as follows: First, the number of papers published on the subject from 2009 to 201 was small at an average of 0.57, but it increased after 2016, and about 10 papers have been published each year since 2020. Second, quantitative research accounted for 96.61% of the research methods and was used as the main research method. Third, the measurement tools used in the study were childhood trauma, emotional regulation, and depression in that order. Fourth, the independent variables of the research variables were most frequently childhood and adolescent trauma-related variables, and the dependent variables were depression and interpersonal relationships in that order. Finally, based on the research, the direction of research development, suggestions, and limitations of the subject were described.