Document Type : Original Article
Authors
University of Tabriz
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to map the knowledge structure, research trends, scientific collaboration patterns, and thematic evolution of research on childhood trauma and educational outcomes.
Methodology: This applied and descriptive study employed a bibliometric approach. Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection for the period from 1982 to 2026. Following the application of the inclusion criteria, 1420 articles were analyzed using VOSviewer, HistCite, and SciMAT.
Findings: Publication output increased substantially after 2017, reaching 128 publications in 2025, with exponential growth (R² = 0.9485). Global citations peaked in 2012 and subsequently declined, partly reflecting the shorter citation windows of recently published studies. Keyword analysis identified 11 thematic clusters from 151 standardized keywords. Adverse Childhood Experiences, Education, and Prevention was the largest and most interconnected cluster (446 occurrences; TLS = 883), whereas Traumatic Brain Injury and Cognitive Development had the highest average citation impact (138.52 citations/document). Three overarching dimensions emerged: (1) adverse childhood experiences, mental health, and educational outcomes; (2) cognitive, neurodevelopmental, and academic consequences; and (3) resilience, protective factors, and support systems.
Conclusion: The field has evolved from an emerging area toward rapid expansion and increasingly multidimensional research, with recent research increasingly encompassing resilience, protective factors, trauma-informed care, screening, and prevention.
Value: This study provides an integrated scientometric map that can inform research priorities and interdisciplinary collaboration across education, health, and child protection.
Keywords
- Childhood Trauma
- Educational Outcomes
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Scientometric Analysis
- Knowledge Structure
Main Subjects
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