For school-age children (6-11 years), which of the following is a response to trauma?

For school-age children, trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, and one common response is the expression of physical complaints. These might include headaches, stomachaches, or other body pains that do not have a medical explanation. Such physical symptoms often serve as an emotional outlet for the distress the child is feeling internally, as they may not fully understand or articulate their feelings of anxiety, fear, or sadness related to the traumatic experience.

Children at this developmental stage may also be learning to navigate complex emotions, yet they may lack the language or skills to express what they are experiencing emotionally. As a result, they may somatize their emotional pain, translating it into physical ailments. This response highlights the connection between psychological well-being and physical health in children and underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing these physical complaints within the context of childhood trauma.

In contrast, excellent academic performance, joyful interactions with peers, and advanced coping mechanisms are responses typically associated with positive adaptation or resilience, which may occur in some children following trauma but are not the primary responses expected in this demographic undergoing stress.