How do social determinants of health correlate to the effects of trauma?

Understanding the Connection Between Social Determinants of Health and Trauma

Social determinants of health are economic and social conditions surrounding an individual’s lifestyle that profoundly affect the individual’s health. The key factors include socioeconomic status, education, housing, social support, and access to healthcare. 

Trauma is an intense emotional response to an extremely stressful situation such as losing a loved one, sexual assault, severe incidents, and more. Trauma deeply affects individuals both in terms of physically and psychologically in the form of panic attacks, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Different types of trauma include acute(occurs shortly for once), chronic( the person feels constantly trapped in the cycle of the same events), and, complex( exposure to more than one traumatic memory).

Understanding the Connection Between SDOH and Trauma is crucial to acknowledge the idea that SDOH can either exacerbate or protect against the negative effects of trauma. 

Considering these factors when understanding and addressing trauma, it is essential to know that their absence can significantly multiply the severity of trauma and worsen the situation. 

This article aims to explore the strong relationship between Social determinants of health and trauma and how Trauma-informed care can improve recovery outcomes and relieve the adverse effects of suffering through understanding the Social determinants of health correlation with traumatized patients. 

What Are Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)?

Let’s take a deeper look into the social determinants of health, the non-medical factors which drastically affect the health and state of an individual. 

Socioeconomic Status

Socioeconomic status and trauma are highly connected as people with a lower status have excessive stress levels due to the thoughts of managing their responsibilities whereas people holding a wealthy position have less to worry about and no exposure to trauma. 

A good income, employment opportunities, and financial stability play a significant role in health outcomes by enhancing the lifestyle through a healthy diet, secure living places and luxuries. 

However, individuals with low socioeconomic status are more likely to experience trauma and have worse outcomes due to limited resources and a poor lifestyle that fails to meet their basic needs.

A study performed on young South African men suggested that trauma exposure in the form of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse along with poverty demonstrates deeply rooted connections between Social determinants of health and trauma and increased depressive symptoms in those individuals.

Education

Lower educational attainment can correlate with higher exposure to trauma as individuals with lower education may have fewer coping skills. Education can be a protective factor, enabling better access to resources and better health literacy by allowing individuals to opt for high-quality health services and making insightful health-related decisions. 

Educated individuals have better chances of getting employed based on their knowledge and skills, leading to economic stability along with decreased chances of deteriorating stressful traumatic situations.

Housing Stability

The impact of housing instability or homelessness on trauma exposure and recovery is intense. The absence of a safe space household leads to unhygienic living conditions, low quality of life, and high risks of developing diseases. Furthermore, problematic neighbors can be a challenging task to survive in such an environment. 

The Housing instability and trauma effects increase simultaneously and this is why a stable living environment is essential for healing and recovery from trauma. A well-maintained household ensures positive surroundings that offer calmness and serenity to the individual’s mind, subsequently decreasing the traumatic memories.

Access to Healthcare

Healthcare access and trauma recovery are closely intertwined by providing instant effective treatments for psychological and physical needs. 

However, individuals may delay or avoid seeking help for trauma due to hurdles such as no access to insurance, lack of affordability, and geographical location. This limits them from receiving high-quality health care,  leading to increased Trauma and health disparities. 

Social Support Networks

A strong support system, including family, friends, and community plays a crucial role in in both preventing trauma and aiding in recovery. An empathetic space created by supportive social networks fosters relaxation, increases hopes for recovery, and contributes to building resilience whereas isolated individuals who went through Social inequality and trauma may suffer from loneliness and loss of motivation to strive for a better life. 

How SDOH Influences Trauma Exposure and Severity

Trauma and Socioeconomic Disparities

Socioeconomic disparities greatly affect the chances of trauma exposure as well as the healing period. 

Low-income individuals may be more vulnerable to experiencing traumatic events such as violence, discrimination, and economic hardship. The disproportionate effects of trauma on low-income and marginalized groups make it difficult to recover through treatments due to insufficiency of resources.

Impact of Education on Trauma Recovery

A low educational level can impact the understanding of trauma and the ability to seek and receive appropriate care. This keeps the patients away from Trauma-informed care, resulting in long-term suffering which misses the chance of being addressed by a professional. 

Moreover, higher educational achievements, encourage personal growth which comprises emotional sensibility and analytical thinking skills, both of which can assist in coping with the trauma healing process.

Housing Instability and the Cycle of Trauma

Unstable housing can exacerbate trauma, making it harder to escape environments where trauma occurs (e.g., domestic violence, neighborhood violence)

The relationship between mental health disorders and housing instability can be seen in the behavioral changes and complexities in grasping the life activities of individuals who have suffered from improper household conditions. 

Providing well-maintained living spaces can break this vicious cycle and destroy the connection formed between Housing instability and trauma effects.

Access to Healthcare as a Determinant in Trauma Recovery

Healthcare access and trauma recovery are closely linked. Barriers to healthcare, such as lack of insurance or inadequate mental health services, impact recovery from trauma leading to elevated chances of PTSD and other psychological problems. 

Trauma-informed care ensures timely interventions for the effects of trauma and seeks to offer long-term care plans for streamlined recovery periods. 

However, treatments can be hindered by these barriers which result in neglected psychological needs, a deteriorated mental state, and high chances of vulnerability regarding any traumatic experience. 

The Intersection of Social Inequality and Trauma

Social inequality and trauma can be discussed when considering individuals that are different from society such as black people, immigrants, transgenders, and disabled people. 

Cumulative Trauma Exposure in Vulnerable Populations

A constant cycle of repeated traumatic events is witnessed in the lifetime of certain groups (e.g., racial minorities, refugees, people with disabilities) due to external factors such as discrimination, violence, financial instability, and racism and their position within a disadvantaged social structure.

These individuals are also restricted from getting professional help and are considered after the rest of the population, which makes it difficult for them to come out of their traumatic experiences because the cycle keeps repeating each step. 

A high percentage of PTSD was seen in urban adolescent girls who suffered prolonged trauma exposure including domestic violence.

Impact of Trauma on Vulnerable Populations

Vulnerable populations, including those living in poverty or marginalized communities, are highly affected by Social determinants of health and trauma. 

The absence of proper healthcare facilities leads to mental conditions such as depression and anxiety and physical problems of the heart due to an unbreakable cycle of stress.  

A lack of social support networks locks away the individual from worldly activities leading to slow healing without any moral support. 

Moreover, a low socioeconomic status due to physical disability and deteriorated focusing capacity blocks growth opportunities leading to increased chances of poverty and poor quality of life. 

The Role of Public Policy in Addressing SDOH and Trauma

Policies aimed at reducing inequality (e.g., universal healthcare, affordable housing, and education access to underprivileged people) can reduce trauma’s impact by addressing social determinants directly.

Successful policy interventions have demonstrated positive effects on both social inequality and trauma including:

• The Affordable Care Act: Provides mental health services specifically based on Trauma-informed care to individuals from low socioeconomic status. This in turn decreases the adverse effects of Trauma and health disparities and ensures on-time treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression. 
• Housing First Program: Based on the understanding of Housing instability and trauma effects. Provides secure housing spaces for individuals suffering from mental health issues and drug addiction. 

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How Social Determinants of Health Shape Long-Term Outcomes of Trauma

Chronic Health Conditions and Trauma

Individuals who experience trauma in the context of poor SDOH may develop chronic conditions such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse.

Traumatic experiences are not just stored in the brain but also have major effects on the human body. Social stressors drastically shift the body’s stress response system and lead to the onset of chronic physical health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.

Resilience and Social Support

Resilience is the ability to go through difficult situations and bounce back stronger. Through social support, individuals can form a solid foundation of resilience and mitigate the negative effects of trauma.

SDOH, such as strong social support networks and educational opportunities for all, can contribute to resilience and help reduce Trauma and health disparities by creating a sense of acceptance and inclusion in society, especially for individuals who face discrimination. 

The Role of Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed care is a holistic approach in providing treatments to patients considering their past experiences and their impact on the person. This treatment plan addresses both the effects of trauma and the underlying social determinants that may contribute to it. Advanced opportunities for Healthcare access and trauma recovery are specially offered to patients by understanding their cultural differences, gender, and deep roots of trauma. 

Healthcare professionals can use trauma-informed care to better support individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing them with a comfortable environment for expressing their feelings, understanding their unusual behavior, and cooperating with them. 

Addressing SDOH in Trauma Treatment and Prevention

Integrating SDOH in Trauma Care Models

Healthcare systems can integrate SDOH into trauma care, ensuring that patients’ social needs such as housing, education, and social support are addressed alongside their trauma.

To minimize the negative effects of Social determinants of health and trauma, hospitals can integrate daily SDOH assessments to identify and address the patient’s needs by offering them opportunities for housing, food, and employment. 

Researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Health Institute have researched the Social determinants of health correlation to provide Trauma-informed care that considers these factors and improves patient outcomes. 

Community-Based Interventions

• Community-based models for addressing the intersection of Social Determinants of Health and trauma include trauma recovery centers that offer employment, living, and mental health treatment opportunities to trauma survivors. 
• However, violence intervention programs are specially created for individuals traumatized by violence and enhance their healing journey by offering counseling sessions along with study and employment opportunities. 
• Community health programs delve deeper and catch the main underlying reason for trauma and contribute to the creation of programs that reduce the occurrence of such traumatic events. 
• Through local outreach, community health programs also offer the opportunity to underprivileged people who are deprived of proper means to  Healthcare access and trauma recovery and suffer from travel issues. 
• Moreover, the collaboration of the healthcare sector with social services such as shelter organizations, education programs, legal advocacy, and mental health services provides holistic care for trauma patients by covering their diverse needs. 

Policy Recommendations:

Policies should be created based on the comprehension of  Social determinants of health and trauma effects which should be aimed at improving social conditions for trauma-affected populations.  

• These should include universal Healthcare access and trauma recovery to ensure that the suffering of the people especially from lower socioeconomic classes is being highlighted and they get the treatments for their mental and physical health appropriately to avoid chances of PTSD and chronic health issues. 
• Affordable housing plans should be available to ensure a stable and secure living environment that fosters a feeling of tranquility and protection especially for the individuals who fear the recurrence of trauma. 
• Moreover, personalized mental health services should be offered to individuals who experienced traumatic situations to handle the signs of their trauma response at the right time in the right ways. 

These policies can create an environment that prevents trauma and supports recovery by providing solutions for lack of shelter, economic hardship, and violence. Through the implementation of these policies, healthcare systems can provide Trauma-informed care which boosts resilience and recovery in individuals.  

Conclusion: Understanding and Addressing the Interplay Between SDOH and Trauma

Social determinants of health and trauma are firmly associated in multiple ways.

The lack of proper health care systems, social support, financial resources, educational opportunities, and housing plays a crucial role in exposure to trauma by declining the quality of life through environments filled with long-lasting adverse effects and traumatic cycles that keep going for a lifetime. 

However, creating awareness and policies that understand the link between Trauma and health disparities, social inequalities, housing, social status, and education and promote the need for safe living environments, job opportunities and equality for individuals can encourage a Trauma-informed care and eventually lead to faster recovery from trauma.

Healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities should collaborate on initiatives that integrate SDOH into trauma care and prevention. Moreover, continued research should be done for understanding the relationship between social determinants and trauma, to create impactful policies and healthcare interventions. If you are a nursing student struggling to manage the extensive coursework with your personal commitments, there is no need to worry! Make the most out of online services such as Take My HESI Exam For Me where an expert brings your dream grades!