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Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools Across Two Decades

An Interdisciplinary Review of Research

Bibliographic Data

ID23330737
AuthorsM Shelley Thomas (0000-0001-8796-1303), Shantel Crosby (0000-0002-5500-0716, University of Louisville), Judi Vanderhaar (Kentucky Department of Education)
Year2019
Volume43
Issue1
Pages422-452
Publication date2019-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReview of Research in Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-732X • E-ISSN: 1935-1038
PublisherAmerican Educational Research Association (AERA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.3102/0091732x18821123
OpenAlexW2946285924
LanguageEN
Citations received156
References cited54

Attention to childhood trauma and the need for trauma-informed care has contributed to the emerging discourse in schools related to teaching practices, school climate, and the delivery of trauma-related in-service and preservice teacher education. However, though trauma-informed systems of care include schools, empirical work informing trauma-informed teaching and teacher education that is reflected back to those audiences is less established. This interdisciplinary overview and synthesis of literature examined interventions used in schools to determine the dominant framework used for promoting and practicing trauma-informed care in schools and the effectiveness of school-based supports for trauma-affected youth to identify implications for changing teaching practice. While multiple disciplines conduct research using different methodologies examining trauma-informed practices in schools, educators are underexamined in this work. Additionally, education researchers began engaging in research on trauma-informed practices in schools more recently, and as such, research emanating from education researchers comprises a small portion of this review. Drawing across the work, we offer recommendations for a more robust, interdisciplinary research agenda with the intentional purpose to change teacher practice.

Best practice · Medical education · Pedagogy · Political science · Psychological intervention · Teacher education · Work (physics) · Child Abuse and Trauma · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Nursing · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Work

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    Open Access•Elaine Borghi, Emanuela Nadia Borghi•Teaching Anthropology•2024

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    Sarah Mcgreer•Critical and Radical Social Work•2024

  • The impact of adverse childhood experiences on adolescent health risk indicators in a community sample

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  • The Courage to Care

    Open Access•Catriona O’Toole, Mira Dobutowitsch•Journal of Child & Adolescent…•2022

  • Systematic Review of School-Wide Trauma-Informed Approaches

    Open Access•Julie Avery, Heather Morris et al.•Journal of Child & Adolescent…•2020

  • The Role of Trauma-Informed Training in Helping Los Angeles Teachers Manage the Effects of Student Exposure to Violence and Trauma

    Open Access•Melanie Sonsteng-Person, Alysse Melville Loomis•Journal of Child & Adolescent…•2021

  • Perceived Competence of Teachers in the Implementation of Trauma-informed Practices for Students with Disabilities in Classrooms in the United Arab Emirates

    Open Access•Maxwell Peprah Opoku, Hala Elhoweris et al.•Journal of Child & Adolescent…•2023

  • Utilizing KAP in Schools

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  • The Trauma-Informed Attitudes and Practices of Early Childhood Special Education Teachers

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  • Mixed Methods Illustration of Teachers’ Trauma-Informed Attitudes and Practice

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  • Addressing Trauma-Informed Principles in Public Health through Training and Practice

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  • Differences in Well-Being at School Between Young Students With and Without a Refugee Background

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  • Students with and Without Relatives with Problematic Substance Use

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  • Please, see me’; Informal and professional support of students with relatives with addiction problems

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  • Academic Achievement After Violence Exposure

    Open Access•Melanie Sonsteng-Person, Jeremiah W Jaggers et al.•Journal of Child & Adolescent…•2023

  • Are they looking for support? Mental health and trauma awareness as predictors of mental health help-seeking behaviour among young adults and adolescents in Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates

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  • An emerging knowledge exchange framework

    Open Access•Amy E Lansing, Natalie J Romero et al.•BMC Public Health•2025

  • Preparation of the pre-service teacher to deliver comprehensive sexuality education

    Open Access•Jan Hendriks, Jacqueline Hendriks et al.•BMC Public Health•2024

  • Assessing the Understanding of Primary School Teachers in the Rural Communities of Limpopo Province, South Africa—Are We Trauma Informed

    Open Access•Muimeleli Munyadziwa, Lufuno Makhado et al.•Children•2025

  • Exploring the Effectiveness and Sustainability of Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) as a Trauma-informed Approach in Two Tasmanian Child and Family Learning Centres

    Open Access•Elspeth Stephenson, Helen Yost•Journal of Child & Adolescent…•2023

  • Adverse childhood and school experiences

    Open Access•Karen Hughes, Mark A Bellis et al.•BMC Public Health•2025

  • Profiling the concept of TRAUMA in English-language educational discourse

    Open Access•Liliia Molhamova, Наталия Витальевна Таценко et al.•Cognition communication discourse•2026

  • Are the Students Alright? Faculty Adoption of Trauma-Informed Pedagogy in Public Affairs Education

    Open Access•Lauren Azevedo, Pamela S Medina et al.•Journal of Public Affairs Education•2026

  • Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Australian Early Childhood Professionals

    Open Access•Yihan Sun, Emily Berger et al.•Early Childhood Education Journal•2026

  • Inclusive Early Learning through Quality Interactions

    Open Access•Gamze Bilir Seyhan•Early Childhood Education Journal•2026

  • This Changes Everything

    Open Access•Jennifer M Foster, Jennifer Foster et al.•The Teacher Educator•2026

  • Teaching on the Frontlines

    Open Access•Jennifer L Caruso, Sonali Rajan•Journal of School Health•2026

  • Cultivating inclusivity in introductory undergraduate STEM course syllabi

    Open Access•Francesca Bernardi, Crystal H Brown et al.•Humanities and Social Sciences…•2024

  • Culturally responsive assessment

    Open Access•John Kirwa Tum Kole•Social Sciences & Humanities Open•2026

  • Multi-tiered systems of support for school attendance and its problems

    Open Access•Christopher A Kearney, Patricia A Graczyk•Frontiers in Education•2022

  • Neuroeducation

    Open Access•K Pradeep, K R Pradeep et al.•Frontiers in Education•2024

  • Developing empathy and support for students with the “most challenging behaviors

    Open Access•Jessica B Koslouski•Frontiers in Education•2022

  • Potential challenges and future implications for trauma-informed approaches in schools

    Open Access•Binh Phung•Frontiers in Education•2022

  • Centering Loss and Grief

    Open Access•Liliana E Castrellón, Erica Fernandez et al.•Frontiers in Education•2021

  • Building the self-efficacy and agency of African mothers with refugee backgrounds to engage with their children’s Canadian schools

    Open Access•Wilson-Forsberg, Oliver Masakure et al.•Frontiers in Education•2026

  • What Is a Trauma Informed Classroom? What Are the Benefits and Challenges Involved

    Open Access•Norah Sweetman•Frontiers in Education•2022

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    Open Access•Byron Bitanihirwe, Byron K Y Bitanihirwe et al.•Frontiers in Education•2023

  • Implementing multi-tiered systems of support in rural schools

    Open Access•Christopher A Kearney, Michael Fensken et al.•Frontiers in Education•2025

  • Signals of inclusion

    Open Access•Anthony Coutts, Crystal H Brown et al.•Frontiers in Education•2025

  • The Effect of Traumatic Events on Social Behavior of University Students

    Open Access•Shahida Perveen, Najma Iqbal Malik•Humanities & Social Sciences…•2021

  • What Works to Retain Beginning Teachers in the Profession? A Mixed Methods Approach to Detect Determining Factors

    Open Access•Muhammet Safa Göregen, Els Tanghe et al.•Education Sciences•2024

  • What We Don’t Know Really Will Hurt Us

    Open Access•Catherine Sheehan, Judith E Butler et al.•Education Sciences•2024

  • Supporting Young Children’s Social–Emotional Wellbeing in Early Childhood Education and Care

    Open Access•Lisa Murray, Penny Levickis et al.•Education Sciences•2025

  • Trauma-Informed School Strategies for SEL and ACE Concerns during Covid-19

    Open Access•Jesse Scott, Lindsey Jaber et al.•Education Sciences•2021

  • Developing evidence-informed principles for trauma-aware pedagogies in physical education

    Open Access•Thomas Quarmby, Rachel Sandford et al.•Physical Education and Sport…•2022

  • Multidisciplinary approaches to establishing trauma informed practice for pre-service teachers

    Open Access•Sharon Ann Louth, Alison Willis•Asia Pacific Education Review•2024

  • Addressing student engagement during Covid-19

    Tiffany Roman, Laurie Brantley‐Dias et al.•Journal of Research on Technology…•2022

  • The professional development of rural teachers in China based on their relationship with “left-behind” children

    Xiaojing Liu, Yulong Li et al.•Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher…•2024

  • Pain of the past and present

    Jean-Louis Olive, Chelsea Gilbert et al.•Teachers and Teaching•2024

  • Infusing Taoist Principles into Early Literacy Professional Learning

    Open Access•Chenyi Zhang•Journal of Reading Behavior•2024

  • Are Deficit Perspectives Thriving in Trauma-Informed Schools? A Historical and Anti-Racist Reflection

    Open Access•Cora Palma, Annmary S Abdou et al.•Equity & Excellence in Education•2024

  • Helping Children Heal

    Open Access•Christopher D Schmidt, Justin R Misurell et al.•The Family Journal•2026

  • Relationship building strategies within trauma informed frameworks in educational settings

    Open Access•Michelle Wilson-Ching, Emily Berger•Current Psychology•2024

  • Seeding Resilience-Building CROPs

    Open Access•Jessica Strolin-Goltzman, Shana J Haine et al.•Families in Society The Journal…•2024

  • Empowering connections

    Open Access•Noam Lapidot-Lefler•Educational Action Research•2025

  • Using an Emergency Plan to Combat Teacher Burnout Following a Natural Hazard

    Open Access•Sarah R Cannon, Cassandra R Davis et al.•Educational Policy•2023

  • Teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs about trauma-informed education practices

    Open Access•Michael Witter, Tom Brunzell•International Journal of…•2025

  • Advancing the inclusion agenda in Australia

    Open Access•Tracey Sempowicz, Selwyn Carrington•International Journal of…•2023

  • A Modified Poisson Mixture Approach to Risk and Intensity of School Violent Victimization, 1976–2023

    Qiaomei Fu, Qiang Fu et al.•Justice Quarterly•2026

  • Prioritising relationship, community, and student-centered learning

    Open Access•India R Bryce, Brooke Weston-Hill et al.•Higher Education Research &…•2026

  • Assessing the perceived effectiveness of a Montessori-influenced trauma-informed practice (TIP) programme for contemporary early childhood teachers

    Bernadette Phillips, Catriona O’Toole et al.•Irish Educational Studies•2025

  • When it matters most

    Open Access•Michaela Mulholland, Catriona O’Toole et al.•Irish Educational Studies•2021

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    Open Access•A Hickey•The Australian Educational…•2025

  • Developing an understanding of the trauma-informed pedagogy of primary school teachers

    Open Access•Kate B Eastman, Anne McMaugh et al.•The Australian Educational…•2026

  • Teacher use of trauma-informed practice in the classroom

    Open Access•Kate B Eastman, Anne McMaugh et al.•The Australian Educational…•2025

  • ‘Closing the gap’

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  • The relationship between academic performance and self-care among US social work undergraduates

    Shiloh D Erdley-Kass, Stephanie Byers et al.•Social Work Education•2024

  • Trauma-sensitive teaching

    Open Access•Kelly Lin•International Journal of Music…•2025

  • Implementing trauma-informed care in a special education setting

    Open Access•Hayley Goldenthal, Hayley J Centola et al.•Evaluation and Program Planning•2024

  • Trauma-Sensitive Teaching Strategies in Clinical Nursing Education

    Open Access•Bailee Jo Yvette Bourassa, Tania Bergen et al.•Journal of Nursing Education•2024

  • Trauma-Informed Education in Nursing

    Anna Goddard, Rebecca Jones et al.•Journal of Nursing Education•2022

  • Trauma-informed environmental education

    Nicole M Evans•The Journal of Environmental…•2023

  • Strategies for delivering trauma-informed climate change instruction

    Nikki Hurle, Na Young Kong•The Journal of Environmental…•2025

  • “You Have to Lift Black Children Up”

    Open Access•Honey Walrond•Urban Education•2026

  • Seeing Race in the Research on Youth Trauma and Education

    Open Access•Adam Alvarez•Review of Educational Research•2020

  • Centering Youth in the Healing Process Through Participatory Action Research

    Open Access•Adam Alvarez, Addison Duane•Review of Educational Research•2026

  • The formation and functions of school‐based trauma‐leadership teams

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  • Centering trauma‐informed approaches in schools within a social justice framework

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  • Determining the Structure of Trauma‐Informed Practices in Schools

    Open Access•Denice Cronin, Paul Block et al.•Psychology in the Schools•2026

  • Embedding Coaching and Local Education Champions in Implementing Trauma Informed Practice

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  • Teachers coping in the classroom

    Open Access•Christine E Hood, Ilana Seidel Horn et al.•Phi Delta Kappan•2023

  • Numeracy and literacy attainment of children exposed to maternal incarceration and other adversities

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  • Community Violence Exposure and Fear in Schools

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  • Moving Policy Toward a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Approach to Support Children Who Have Experienced Trauma

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  • Move & Thrive

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  • Toward a Trauma‐Informed Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program

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  • Classroom Management and Facilitation Approaches That Promote School Connectedness

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  • An Overview of Research on Secondary Traumatic Stress in K-12 Teaching

    Beth Rankin•The Educational Forum•2022

  • Ghosts and Contagion

    Open Access•Carly Berwick•The Educational Forum•2026

  • Interrupting the Weaponization of Trauma-Informed Practice

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  • Trauma as an Interface Shift

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  • Transforming trauma-informed understanding into trauma-informed practice

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  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

    American Psychiatric Association American Psychiatric Association, American…•Diagnostic and Statistical Manual…•2022

  • Toward a Blueprint for Trauma-Informed Service Delivery in Schools

    Open Access•Sandra M Chafouleas, Austin H Johnson et al.•School Mental Health•2016

  • School-Related Outcomes of Traumatic Event Exposure and Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Students

    Open Access•Michelle M Perfect, Matt R Turley et al.•School Mental Health•2016

  • Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS)

    Open Access•Joyce S Dorado, Miriam Soto Martinez et al.•School Mental Health•2016

  • A Critical Look At Trauma-Informed Care Among Agencies and Systems Serving Maltreated Youth and Their Families

    Open Access•Rochelle F Hanson, Jason Lang et al.•Child Maltreatment•2016

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    Open Access•E Jane Costello, Alaattin Erkanli et al.•Journal of Traumatic Stress•2002

  • The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood

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  • Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults

    Open Access•Vincent J Felitti, Robert F Anda et al.•American Journal of Preventive…•1998

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    Open Access•David Moher, Alessandro Liberati et al.•PLoS Medicine•2009

  • ‘That's why I was crying on this book’

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  • Relational ways of being an educator

    Ann Morgan, Donna Pendergast et al.•International Journal of…•2015

  • Student perspectives on how trauma experiences manifest in the classroom

    Open Access•Shantel D West, Angelique Day et al.•Children and Youth Services Review•2014

  • The Effectiveness of Cultural Adjustment and Trauma Services (Cats)

    Open Access•Sarah Beehler, Dina Birman et al.•American Journal of Community…•2012

  • Exploring the Use of the Interactive Systems Framework to Guide School Mental Health Services in Post‐disaster Contexts

    Open Access•Leslie K Taylor, Mark D Weist et al.•American Journal of Community…•2012

  • Assessing Perceptions of Culture and Trauma in an Elementary School

    Open Access•Lisa V Blitz, Elizabeth M Anderson et al.•The Urban Review•2016

  • Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy

    Open Access•Django Paris•Educational Researcher•2012

  • Listening to the Speaking Wound

    Open Access•Elizabeth Dutro, Andrea C Bien•American Educational Research…•2014

  • A Case Study of School-Linked, Collective Parent Engagement

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Unique citing works156
Citations per year22,29
Citation span2019 - 2026 (8)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedYes
Citation typesNeutral: 145
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