Meta-analysis of prospective longitudinal cohort studies on the impact of childhood traumas on anxiety disorders

Objects: Childhood trauma is an early pathogenic factor that increases individuals' vulnerability to mental illness. This systematic review aims to explore the evidence regarding the association between childhood trauma and the subsequent occurrence of anxiety disorders. Methods: Embase, Scopus, and PubMed databases were searched for peer-reviewed longitudinal cohort studies published in English between January 1, 1995, and November 15, 2022. These studies investigated the association between childhood traumas and later diagnose of anxiety disorders. Including studies in one previous metaanalysis and two umbrella reviews, a total of 27 manuscripts were retained in this meta-analysis. Results: The evidence strongly revealed that childhood trauma exposure has detrimental effects on anxiety disorders, consistent from youth to adulthood. Moreover, these effects remained consistent across various types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, panic attack and panic disorder. Importantly, exposure to childhood trauma, including maternal dysfunction, paternal dysfunction, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and bullying, was associated with later development of anxiety disorders, with bullying and maternal dysfunction ranking highest. Conclusions: This meta-analysis underscores that childhood trauma exposure significantly increases the risk of anxiety disorders across different age groups and types of anxiety disorders. Various forms of childhood trauma, including maternal dysfunction, paternal dysfunction, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and bullying, are consistently associated with later development of anxiety disorders, highlighting the importance of early intervention and support in preventing anxiety disorders.