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Karimi P, Samaei Jablou R, Khaledi A, Nakhli M. The Role of Childhood Trauma in the Development of Psychosomatic Symptoms in Adulthood: A Narrative Review. CPR 2024; 3 (1) :5-14
URL: http://cpr.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-150-en.html

Background and Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of childhood trauma in the development of psychosomatic symptoms in adulthood using a narrative review approach.
Materials & Methods: This narrative review examined childhood trauma’s role in adult psychosomatic symptoms through a flexible synthesis of diverse studies (2016-2025). Searches across Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar used “childhood trauma” and “psychosomatic symptoms” keywords, supplemented by reference screening. The included studies measured trauma (<18 years) via standardized tools and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)-defined symptoms in adults (≥18 years).
Results: This review included 14 studies published between 2016 and 2024. Regarding the types of trauma assessed: five studies investigated childhood abuse generally, five focused on emotional abuse, five examined sexual abuse, three addressed physical abuse, and three studied neglect. The findings of this review consistently demonstrate a significant association between childhood trauma, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and neglect, and heightened psychosomatic symptom burden across diverse populations. Beyond general somatic complaints, childhood maltreatment appears to contribute to specific medical conditions, such as immune-mediated disorders, cardiovascular disease, and chronic pain, with emotional neglect and abuse particularly linked to psychosomatic severity, while sexual abuse shows a distinct connection to somatoform disorders. 
Conclusion: These results highlight the profound and multifaceted impact of early-life adversity on long-term physical health, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed approaches in clinical practice, especially for patients presenting with medically unexplained symptoms or persistent pain.