The prevalence of potentially traumatic events in childhood and associations with mental disorders, suicide and physical health in adulthood: An Australian nationally representative cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the population prevalence of exposure to potentially traumatic events (e.g. serious accidents, physical or sexual violence and natural disasters) during childhood among Australians and examine associations between childhood potentially traumatic events and mental disorders, suicide and long-term physical health conditions. Methods: Survey data from the 2020 to 2022 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing were analysed, which included a nationally representative household sample of Australians aged 16–85 years ( n = 15,893). Results: Up to 42% of Australians (approx. 8,250,948) have been exposed to a potentially traumatic event prior to the age of 18 years. The more common types of potentially traumatic events experienced prior to 18 years were unexpected death of a loved one (27.5%), witnessing domestic violence (21.1%), sexual assault (21.0%) and witnessing serious injury or death (20.0%). Australians exposed to childhood potentially traumatic events had significantly higher odds of any lifetime Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition mental disorders compared to those who had not experienced potentially traumatic events (adjusted odds ratio: 1.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.32–1.74). They also had higher odds of suicidal thoughts (adjusted odds ratio: 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.28–1.92), plans (adjusted odds ratio: 1.60, 95% confidence interval: 1.17–2.19) and attempts (adjusted odds ratio: 2.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.40–2.98) and higher odds of asthma, arthritis, cancer and kidney disease compared to those who had not experienced potentially traumatic events in their lifetime. Conclusion: Childhood potentially traumatic events are prevalent in the Australian general population and associated with serious mental and physical health conditions. These findings have important implications for early detection and intervention, trauma-informed healthcare approaches, and for policy and practice across health, education and social service systems.