Traumatic Stress and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Exploring the Implications of Developmental Adversity, Resilience, and Transformation
A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Developmental Psychology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2026 | Viewed by 46
Special Issue Editors
Interests: trauma; secondary traumatic stress; complex post-traumatic stress disorder; adverse childhood experiences
Interests: behavioral health; trauma
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue of Behavioral Sciences will explore the complex interplay between traumatic stress, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and the processes of resilience and transformation that emerge in their aftermath. Rooted in the mission of the Developmental Adversity, Resilience, and Transformation (DART) Lab to advance trauma-informed science, practice, and systems change, this Special Issue seeks to deepen our understanding of how developmental adversity shapes behavior, relationships, and health across the lifespan, as well as of how individuals and communities adapt, recover, and thrive despite such challenges.
We invite contributions that examine the biological, psychological, social, and systemic dimensions of traumatic stress and ACEs. Topics of interest include mechanisms of risk and protection, trauma-informed and resilience-oriented interventions, culturally grounded healing practices, prevention/mitigation, and innovations that foster post-traumatic growth and transformation. By integrating empirical research, theory, and applied practice, this Special Issue aims to bridge disciplines and illuminate pathways toward healing, equity, and collective well-being.
Prof. Dr. James Caringi
Dr. Melinda J. Baldwin
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- traumatic stress
- adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- developmental adversity
- trauma-informed care and systems
- resilience and post-traumatic growth
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