Adverse and protective early experiences: A transactional model of psychobiological mechanisms

Abstract

Despite the empirical evidence on the important role of early adverse experiences in physical and mental health of the last three decades, some confusion about concepts still persists concerning the complex relationship between adversity, stress, and trauma. Conceptual advances are needed favoring an approach from primary, secondary, and tertiary health models. In line with this, the main goal of the present paper is to develop a transactional synthesis of the existing relationship between early adversity, stress system, trauma and attachment system, involved neurobiological mechanisms, as well as their consequences and challenges for mental health during development and later life. Using the narrative revision method, fundamental literature will be suggested and critically discussed in a selective way. We propose that a transactional and multilevel approach is useful to highlight the possibilities that emerge from analyzing the continuum between protective factors, adversity, and trauma, emphasizing the complex structure of their connections with trauma psychobiology.