Lifetime Trauma and Mortality Risk: A Systematic Review

Objective: Various literature are suggestive of a relation between lifetime trauma and mortality risk in adulthood, however, findings seem unclear and inconsistent. In our preregistered review, we conducted a systematic review to examine the association between lifetime trauma and mortality risk in adulthood. Method: Six databases (Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL [EBSCO], PsycInfo [EBSCO], Embase, and Medline [PubMed]); were searched up to April 2023 for studies reporting adult mortality outcomes associated with traumatic events accumulated across the lifespan. Five studies were found, and a narrative review of the literature was conducted. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria, including 5,506 individuals. Two studies with men/male-only samples reported no relation between lifetime trauma and mortality risk; however, three studies with a mixed-sex sample found a positive relation between lifetime trauma and mortality risk, indicating that the more traumatic events a person has across their lifespan, the greater their mortality risk. Conclusion: Lifetime trauma appears to be associated with mortality risk during adulthood. The strongest evidence stems from larger samples. However, research is sparse and inconclusive. A plethora of additional research is needed to address several limitations within the current literature, which includes utilizing standardized measures of lifetime trauma, replication of effects, and the examination of vulnerable and underrepresented populations.