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Cited by 508Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchChild Abuse and Trauma

Complex trauma, complex reactions: Assessment and treatment.

Courtois, Christine A.·2004·Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training
DOI 10.1037/0033-3204.41.4.412
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Abstract

Complex trauma occurs repeatedly and escalates over its duration. In families, it is exemplified by domestic violence and child abuse and in other situations by war, prisoner of war or refugee status, and human trafficking. Complex trauma also refers to situations such as acute/chronic illness that requires intensive medical intervention or a single traumatic event that is calamitous. Complex trauma generates complex reactions, in addition to those currently included in the DSM–IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) diagnosis of posttraumatic stress

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Crossref · 10.1037/0033-3204.41.4.412

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3 of 3 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Complex trauma affects the lives of children over the long term in attachment and relationships, physical health, emotional responses, dissociative attitudes, behaviors, cognitive aspects, self-concept, long-term health, and finances.

    “Studies of complex trauma have shown that it affects the lives of children over the long term on many levels, encompassing problems with attachment and relationships, physical health, emotional responses, dissociative attitudes, behaviors, cognitive aspects, self-concept, long-term health, and finances”

    From Complex Racial Trauma: Evidence, Theory, Assessment, and Treatment (2023) · cites this paper as Courtois, 2004

  • The experience of complex trauma increases the risk of experiencing further trauma over the long term, including violence in romantic relationships.

    “Moreover, the experience of complex trauma increases the risk of experiencing further trauma over the long term, including violence in romantic relationships”

    From Complex Racial Trauma: Evidence, Theory, Assessment, and Treatment (2023) · cites this paper as Courtois, 2004

  • The data suggest that trauma history is not determinative of diagnosis.

    “the data suggest, consistent with Courtois (2004), that history is not determinative of diagnosis.”

    From Evidence for proposed ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD: a latent profile analysis (2013) · cites this paper as Courtois (2004)

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Authors
Courtois, C. A.
Corresponding author
Courtois, Christine A.
ORCID
Courtois, Christine A.
Venue
Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2004
Volume
41
Issue
4
Pages
412-425
ISSN
  • 0033-3204 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1536
DOI
10.1037/0033-3204.41.4.412
OpenAlex
W2175272053
Cited by
508
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 24
FWCI
8.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords
complex trauma, trauma assessment, trauma treatment, domestic violence, child abuse, war trauma, prisoners of war, refugee trauma, human trafficking, post-traumatic stress disorder, DSM-IV

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