Body Awareness and Autonomic Reactivity: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Distress in a Clinical Population
Bell, J., & Stapleton, P.

1. School of Psychology, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4229, Australia.

Abstract

Introduction
Traumatic experiences in childhood have long-lasting psychological impacts on the developing brain and cause significant dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, resulting in deficits in body awareness and autonomic reactivity.

Method
A quantitative correlational design was employed to investigate whether high body awareness and autonomic reactivity were positively associated with adverse childhood experiences and greater psychological distress in a group of 49 therapy clients, aged 18 to 80.

Results
Higher levels of Body Awareness and Autonomic Reactivity were positively correlated with higher levels of psychological distress and Adverse Childhood Experiences. Adverse Childhood Experiences were also found to partially mediate the relationship between Autonomic Reactivity and Psychological Distress.

Conclusion
The findings from this study contribute to the growing body of literature investigating the impact of childhood trauma on Autonomic Nervous System Regulation and psychological well-being. Understanding the complex relationship between Body Awareness, Autonomic Reactivity and Psychological Distress in individuals who have experienced trauma in childhood provides invaluable insight to better inform evidence-based therapeutic treatment.