Introduction to trauma and physical health: A framework and introduction to integrating trauma practice into primary care

RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE with trauma survivors havetaught us much about the widespread problems of child maltreatment, partner violence, and sexual assault. Numerous investigations have documented links between such trauma exposure and long-term negative mental health consequences. We have also identified risk and protective factors for more resilient functioning. As we learn more about the psychobiology of traumatic stress, however, increasing attention has been drawn to understanding physical health effects of maltreatment and trauma (e.g., Kendall-Tackett, 2003). In a recent book reviewing this research on the link between childhood abuse and adult health problems, Kendall-Tackett (2003) describes a model that explains these links. She points out that much more needs to be learned given that the majority of research on trauma and maltreatment has focused on mental health symptoms.