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Participating Institutions
Participating Members

Prof. Dr. Ruth Müller
Principal Investigator
Technical University of Munich

Dr. Georgia Samaras
Co-Principal Investigator
Technical University of Munich

Mary Allison Jones
Research Assistant
Technical University of Munich

Negative Childhood Experiences

Early Life Adversity, Epigenetics & Parenthood: New Familial Responsibilities?
This project explores the scientific and social discourses on the long-term health effects of negative childhood experiences. In particular, we investigate how these discourses develop and influence conceptions of family and responsibility.

43% of the German population experiences trauma during childhood. Scientific studies postulate a connection between the number of specific negative childhood experiences, such as sexual abuse or substance use in the household, and mental as well as physical illnesses later in life. This correlation has become an area of interest in biomedical research in recent years. Recently, epigenetics has been proposed as a possible mechanism to causally explain the inscription of such experiences into molecular structures.

Using a mix of social science methods, we examine how family is conceptualized and positioned in the discourses surrounding the health consequences of negative childhood experiences, and which ideas of familial responsibility for health arise. Our research also analyzes which discriminatory narratives arise from these discourses within this context. These narratives not only affect those who have experienced such traumas but also tend to overburden certain groups with responsibility, such as mothers.

Through a participatory workshop that brings together parents, researchers, and other stakeholders, we aim to intervene in the discourse and critically re-examine and redefine the relationship between family, childhood experiences, and health, while placing emphasis on issues of social justice.

 

Scientific Poster 07 Negative Childhood Experiences

Participating Institutions