Editorial: [ Childhood Traumatic Experiences: New Clinical Perspectives and Interventions]

Valeria Saladino¹Vincenzo Auriemma²Valeria Verrastro¹Goran Arbanas³Stefano Eleuteri^4*

• ¹Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy
• ²Department of Political and Social Studies, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Campania, Italy
• ³University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče Zagreb, Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
• ⁴Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

support between schools and mental health services, emphasizing the need for further longitudinal research (Hammad et al., 2024). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) significantly influence substance use, with low self-control acting as a key mediator. One of the studies, conducted among Ugandan adolescents, emphasizes the need for targeted interventions on self-control and the importance of individualized support for vulnerable youth (Namusoke et al., 2024). A part of the studies in the topic concentrate on the possible effectiveness of different experiences in decreasing problematic behavior in different children. In Italy, for example, a study explored the effectiveness of the e-Connect program, a digital version of the Connect Parent Group (CPG®), implemented with adoptive and foster parents of adolescents. The program, rooted in attachment and trauma-based principles, demonstrated a reduction in parental stress and adolescents' emotional and behavioral difficulties, while improving the understanding of problematic behaviors and strengthening the parent-child relationship. While the results appear promising, notable limitations, such as a small sample size and the lack of in-depth statistical analysis, emerged. Nevertheless, the study highlights the significant potential of the program as an effective and accessible tool for vulnerable families (Pace et al., 2024). Trauma-informed approaches are essential for supporting vulnerable populations in both educational and family contexts. In a specific study, the authors have found that for refugee students, trauma-sensitive school concepts create safe environments that address psychological well-being and academic success by fostering resilience and understanding among educators and policymakers (Lembke et al., 2024). Similarly, another research concentrated on understanding how tailored parenting interventions for African American families impacted by IPV can highlight the need for culturally informed strategies. These include strengths-based approaches, racial socialization, peer support networks, and access to social services, all aimed at empowering mothers and fostering long-term support systems (Cervantes et al., 2024). Both frameworks emphasize the role of systemic, empathetic solutions in addressing trauma and promoting equity.Over the years, interest in this topic has grown significantly, pushing researchers to deepen the validity of questionnaires aimed at assessing adolescent well-being. For instance, Olàh et al. ( 2023) proposed a study to examine the validity of the ACE-10 questionnaire among vulnerable adolescents in the child welfare system in Hungary, comparing it with a modified 9-item version (ACE-9). The latter proved to be more suited to the studied population, showing greater internal consistency and strong correlations with psychological variables such as emotional and behavioral difficulties. The research emphasizes the need for developing dependable diagnostic tools in order to be able to properly recognize traumatic events and be able to plan adequate interventions. Nevertheless, one must not underestimate the difficulties that parents encounter when they seek to deal with the inappropriate behaviors displayed by their children. A critical topic is understanding and managing children's behavior by their parents. In this regard, an integrated approach to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), combined with the attachment-based Circle of Security-Parenting (COS-P) program, has been developed to address problematic behaviors in maltreated children. This model enhances parents' emotional understanding and reduces children's problematic behaviors, increasing family participation. However, its implementation requires thorough therapist training and further study to evaluate its long-term effectiveness (Belanger et al., 2023). A different approach is proposed by a study from Montenegro et al. (2024), which explores the impact of trauma-focused group therapy incorporating Karate-Do on children and adolescents affected by war trauma. It presents a case study demonstrating how this therapy promotes emotional resilience, self-regulation, and social integration. Using martial arts as a therapeutic tool, the program combines physical activity with psychological support to address trauma symptoms. Results suggest positive outcomes, including improved mental well-being and coping mechanisms. Understanding and addressing childhood traumatic experiences are not merely a matter of individual support but a social commitment. It requires an integrated approach involving families, professionals, and institutions. Only through such efforts can the well-being of future generations be improved,