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Insights on trauma research and the Trauma Lab team

How Childhood Experiences Shape Eating Behaviours: An Interview with Joanna Kowalkowska

July 26, 2026

What determines the way we eat? While diet, physical activity, and genetics are well-known contributors, growing evidence suggests that our relationship with food may begin to develop much earlier – in childhood. In an interview published by the University of Warmia and Mazury, Joanna…

Who Do We Trust and Who Do We Help? The Lasting Impact of Childhood Experiences on Social Relationships

July 26, 2026

Do childhood experiences shape only our mental health, or do they also influence how we relate to other people? A new study published in Child Abuse & Neglect by researchers from TraumaLab suggests that both adverse and positive childhood experiences have long-lasting associations with…

Why Do We Eat in Response to Emotions? The Role of Childhood Experiences in Shaping Eating Behaviors

July 25, 2026

Have you ever reached for chocolate after a stressful day or found yourself snacking when feeling anxious, lonely, or overwhelmed? While these behaviors are often dismissed as a lack of self-control, growing scientific evidence suggests that emotional eating is far more complex. In many cases, its…

From Mobilization to Fatigue? How Prolonged Crises Shape Prosocial Behaviour in Poland

July 7, 2026

The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the migration crisis, and worsening economic conditions have led researchers to describe recent years as a polycrisis—a situation in which multiple large-scale crises occur simultaneously and reinforce one another. In such circumstances, an important…

What Stays With Us from Childhood? It’s Not Only Adverse Experiences That Matter

July 7, 2026

More than half of Polish adults experienced at least one adverse event during childhood that may have influenced their mental health later in life. At the same time, the vast majority of respondents also reported positive childhood experiences that fostered feelings of safety, support, and…

Altruism Born of Suffering. Why Do Some People Become More Willing to Help Others After Trauma?

July 7, 2026

Can experiencing suffering increase a person’s willingness to help others? Although psychology has long focused primarily on the negative consequences of trauma, a growing body of research suggests that, for some individuals, difficult experiences may also foster the development of prosocial…

Healthy Eating or a Way of Coping With Difficult Emotions? The Psychological Profile of Orthorexia

May 19, 2026

Orthorexia – When Healthy Eating Becomes a Psychological Problem Orthorexia is most commonly associated with an excessive focus on healthy eating. Carefully reading labels, eliminating more and more foods, and following strict dietary rules may initially appear to reflect exceptional health…

How common is Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) in Poland?

April 7, 2026

As part of the #TraumaLab project, we have been studying the prevalence of trauma-related disorders in the general population for years. Our findings suggest that the scale of the problem in Poland may be greater than previously assumed. Our population-based studies indicate that approximately…

How many of us carry difficult childhood experiences within us?

April 7, 2026

Sometimes they return in ways we don’t fully understand—in tension that seems to come out of nowhere, in a lingering sense that something is wrong with us. We rarely talk about it, and that silence can easily lead to the belief that we are different, weaker, or somehow excluded. Research,…

Why Do Childhood Experiences Resurface Years Later—In the Mind and the Body?

April 7, 2026

Why is it that what happened in childhood can return many years later—sometimes in our emotions, and sometimes in our bodies? Modern research leaves little doubt: adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with an increased risk of mental health difficulties in adulthood. Individuals who…

Can Childhood Experiences Affect Our Health and Relationships Years Later?

April 7, 2026

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic or highly stressful events that occur during the first 18 years of life. They are not limited to single incidents, but also include the broader conditions in which a child develops—conditions that can shape emotional regulation,…

Love and HIV – why partner support matters so much

December 17, 2025

Discussions about living with HIV most often focus on treatment, antiretroviral therapy, and medical parameters. However, a growing body of research indicates that functioning within a close intimate relationship plays an equally important role in the process of adapting to chronic illness. As part…

What determines the psychological well-being of people living with HIV?

December 17, 2025

For over a decade, research has consistently shown that the psychological well-being of people living with HIV depends on a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors, rather than on treatment outcomes alone. As part of the SONATA 12 grant awarded by the National Science…

What does psychological well-being depend on when living with a chronic illness?

December 17, 2025

Advances in modern medicine mean that an increasing number of people living with chronic illnesses now live significantly longer than they did just a decade or two ago. More effective treatments, improved access to therapy, and developments in pharmacology have transformed the course of many…

HIV as a boundary experience: between trauma and posttraumatic growth

December 17, 2025

HIV infection can be a boundary experience— for some, it becomes a source of suffering and fear; for others, the beginning of a profound transformation. Why does this happen? Why do some individuals develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while others experience posttraumatic growth (PTG)?…

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) in people living with HIV – when trauma can lead to development

December 17, 2025

For many years, HIV infection was associated in the public sphere almost exclusively with suffering, fear and stigmatisation. This image was understandable, but incomplete. Contemporary psychological research shows that living with HIV – alongside the real burdens – can also be a story of…

Coping with HIV/AIDS trauma – psychological resources and protective factors

December 17, 2025

At TraumaLab, we study and support the psychological adaptation processes of people living with HIV, based on many years of scientific research and clinical work. An HIV/AIDS diagnosis can be a highly stressful experience for many people. However, psychological research clearly shows that living…

Trauma and PTSD in people living with HIV – psychological consequences of diagnosis

December 17, 2025

For many people, an HIV diagnosis is a turning point that goes far beyond the medical dimension. Although modern treatment allows for effective control of the infection and a full, active life, the psychological consequences of living with HIV are often overlooked and downplayed. Research shows…

HIV – facts and myths. Why is reliable education crucial today?

December 17, 2025

HIV is a topic that continues to be surrounded by many myths, stereotypes and false beliefs. Although more than 40 years have passed since the virus was isolated and modern medicine allows for effective control of the infection, misinformation continues to contribute to fear, stigmatisation and…

Trauma of somatic illness: when a diagnosis changes your life

October 12, 2025

For many years, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was associated exclusively with extreme experiences such as war, natural disasters, or accidents. It was not until the 1990s that it began to be recognised that the diagnosis of a serious, chronic somatic illness could also be a source of…

Trauma and stress in times of multiple crises – presentations by the Trauma Lab team during the 6th Clinical Psychology Conference in Gdańsk

October 12, 2025

Trauma and stress in times of multiple crises was the topic that took centre stage at the 6th Conference on Clinical Psychology in Gdańsk. The event was attended by two members of the Trauma Lab team, which operates at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Warsaw: Prof. Małgorzata Dragan…

Why do so many people in Poland experience symptoms of PTSD? Speech by Prof. Marcin Rzeszutek during the 37th Congress of the Polish Psychological Association in Łódź

October 12, 2025

On 3 October 2025, Prof. Marcin Rzeszutek from the Trauma Research Laboratory (Trauma Lab) spoke at the 37th Congress of the Polish Psychological Association in Łódź (kongresptp.pl). In his speech, he presented the results of his team’s latest research on one of the key questions in contemporary…

What is trauma, and what is it definitely not? Prof. Marcin Rzeszutek on Polish Radio’s Eureka programme

October 12, 2025

The word ‘trauma’ has become one of the most frequently used – and, unfortunately, overused – terms in contemporary public discourse. In the media and on the Internet, almost every difficult or unpleasant experience is referred to as trauma today. Meanwhile, psychological trauma has a particular…

Childhood trauma does not always mean a life sentence. Trauma Lab research results published in Gazeta Wyborcza

October 12, 2025

Gazeta Wyborcza has published the results of research conducted by the Trauma Lab team on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The study was conducted on a representative sample of over 3,500 adult Poles. The results show that 53% of respondents experienced at least one ACE in childhood, and 36%…

How not to panic when the world around us is changing? Prof. Marcin Rzeszutek in Radio ZET’s podcast ‘W razie W’

October 12, 2025

We do not always have control over what is happening around us. Reports of war, economic crises or global threats can be overwhelming and trigger feelings of helplessness. How can we remain calm in such a reality and not panic? Prof. Marcin Rzeszutek discusses this in a conversation with Łukasz…

Monograph ‘From research on psychological trauma in Poland’ – a publication in tribute to Professor Maja Lis-Turlejska

September 12, 2025

There are people in science who not only conduct research but also set new directions for thinking and sensitivity. Professor Maja Lis-Turlejska was undoubtedly one such figure – an outstanding researcher, pioneer of psychotraumatology in Poland, and for many years associated with the University of…

Official appointment of Professor Marcin Rzeszutek

August 29, 2025

It is now official – Professor Marcin Rzeszutek has received his appointment as professor of social sciences in the field of psychology from the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. Professor Rzeszutek emphasises that he treats this distinction not only as a personal success, but above all as the…

Women and alcohol – different paths to addiction

August 29, 2025

The problem of alcohol addiction is still too rarely analysed from a gender perspective. Meanwhile, an increasing number of studies suggest that the underlying mechanisms may differ significantly. In men, drinking is more often associated with impulsiveness and the search for stimulation. In…

Presentation of research at the ESTSS 2025 conference in Tbilisi

August 29, 2025

Scientific conferences are an essential forum for the exchange of knowledge and the comparison of research results from different academic centres. One of the most significant events in the field of psychotraumatology is the biennial conference of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies…

Why is the level of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) so high in Poland?

August 28, 2025

The Trauma Research Laboratory addresses a key question in Polish psychotraumatology: why do so many people in Poland suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? The results of our 2023 study, conducted on a representative sample of over 1,500 Poles, reveal alarming statistics – nearly 19%…

Marcin Rzeszutek was awarded the title of professor of social sciences in the field of psychology.

August 28, 2025

Marcin Rzeszutek, a researcher at the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Warsaw, is entering a new stage in his career, having been awarded the title of professor of social sciences in the field of psychology. This achievement is not only a personal success, but also confirms the value of…

Can social recognition of trauma prevent the development of PTSD?

August 28, 2025

Can social recognition of trauma help prevent the development of PTSD? This question is becoming increasingly important in the context of the mental health of people who have experienced traumatic events. The concept of social recognition of trauma, introduced by Prof. Andreas Maecker, refers to…

Popular articles

How Childhood Experiences Shape Eating Behaviours: An Interview with Joanna Kowalkowska

What determines the way we eat? While diet, physical activity, and genetics are well-known contributors, growing evidence suggests that our relations…

Who Do We Trust and Who Do We Help? The Lasting Impact of Childhood Experiences on Social Relationships

Do childhood experiences shape only our mental health, or do they also influence how we relate to other people? A new study published in Child Abuse…

Why Do We Eat in Response to Emotions? The Role of Childhood Experiences in Shaping Eating Behaviors

Have you ever reached for chocolate after a stressful day or found yourself snacking when feeling anxious, lonely, or overwhelmed? While these behavi…

From Mobilization to Fatigue? How Prolonged Crises Shape Prosocial Behaviour in Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the migration crisis, and worsening economic conditions have led researchers to describe recent years as a…

What Stays With Us from Childhood? It’s Not Only Adverse Experiences That Matter

More than half of Polish adults experienced at least one adverse event during childhood that may have influenced their mental health later in life. A…

Altruism Born of Suffering. Why Do Some People Become More Willing to Help Others After Trauma?

Can experiencing suffering increase a person’s willingness to help others? Although psychology has long focused primarily on the negative consequence…

Healthy Eating or a Way of Coping With Difficult Emotions? The Psychological Profile of Orthorexia

Orthorexia – When Healthy Eating Becomes a Psychological Problem Orthorexia is most commonly associated with an excessive focus on healthy eating. Ca…

How common is Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) in Poland?

As part of the #TraumaLab project, we have been studying the prevalence of trauma-related disorders in the general population for years. Our findings…

How many of us carry difficult childhood experiences within us?

Sometimes they return in ways we don’t fully understand—in tension that seems to come out of nowhere, in a lingering sense that something is wrong wi…

Why Do Childhood Experiences Resurface Years Later—In the Mind and the Body?

Why is it that what happened in childhood can return many years later—sometimes in our emotions, and sometimes in our bodies? Modern research leaves…

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Polskie Towarzystwo Badań nad Stresem Traumatycznym

European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

Global Collaboration
on Traumatic Stress

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