1 Significance Template Preverbal trauma is the blueprint of early childhood relationships and experiences, typically before a child has developed their speech and language capabilities. Thus, the person may retain the implicit memory without retaining the cognitive aspects of the memory of various traumatic events, limiting their ability to articulate their experiences and access the cause of such trauma. Furthermore, the human brain may suppress such memories as it is also impacted by the resultant experiences. Such trauma may manifest in later life stages and is more difficult to detect and manage because the individual cannot cognitively trace the source of their present pain or discomfort (Hartman, 2019). While relevant studies tend to revolve around trauma and, in some instances, preverbal trauma, the target population for the current study, adults between 19-40 years, is minimal. Thus, this absence of relevant data and research leaves a significant gap in managing trauma symptoms and trauma-related illnesses in adulthood that stem from preverbal trauma. Such trauma can easily translate into trauma in adulthood and increases the likelihood of multigenerational trauma cycles and affects an individual’s relationships with others, as well as hinders their ability to self-regulate and navigate the challenges of adulthood, creating cumulative trauma that could be more difficult to address (Dozio et al., 2020). Thus, minimizing the gap affects not only the current generation of adults aged between 19 and 40 but also future generations susceptible to inheriting multigenerational trauma. The current work intends to understand the roots of preverbal trauma based on the experiences of the target demographic via Narrative Therapy, Attachment Theory, Transcendental Phenomenology and Polyvagal Theory, 2 ultimately assessing the effectiveness and applicability of interventions like EMDR and Yoga Therapy. In doing so, the study will bridge the current gap in knowledge and assess the two interventions, advising their adoption in trauma management for adults within the target demographic. That way, the study will enhance public health outcomes tangent to mental health and trauma-related outcomes in favor of the social wellbeing of the target group. Innovation Template The current study leverages a multi-theory framework to analyze preverbal trauma, including attachment theory, transcendental phenomenology, narrative therapy and polyvagal theory. These theories will help unveil the underlying causes of preverbal trauma that manifests in adulthood, providing a long-term framework to address the problem. Furthermore, the study will assess the effectiveness of Yoga Therapy in conjunction with EMDR as interventions for preverbal trauma, ultimately recommending or disproving them as viable therapeutic interventions. Current research on the topic tends to take a generalized approach without an explicit focus on the target group for the current study, while others tend to focus on individual interventions. Thus, the current study will help change the status quo by providing in-depth, evidencebased findings tangent to the explanations for preverbal trauma and the interventions that could resolve the issues among 19-40-year-olds. This approach is advantageous over current studies as it has a far-reaching scope that touches on the theoretical foundations of preverbal trauma. It also provides an in-depth analysis of relevant interventions to affirm their effectiveness in addressing and managing preverbal trauma in favor of the target demographic’s outcomes. 3 References Dozio, E., Feldman, M., Bizouerne, C., Drain, E., Laroche Joubert, M., Mansouri, M., … & Ouss, L. (2020). The transgenerational transmission of trauma: The effects of maternal PTSD in mother-infant interactions. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 480690. Hartmann, I. C. (2019). Forms of Expression of a Preverbal Reality in Child Psychotherapy. Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health, 33(4), 259-281. Background The present proposal aims to explore the relationships and specialized therapeutic interventions related to preverbal trauma among individuals aged 19-40, a demographic often overlooked in existing research. This study aims to penetrate an area marked by its interdisciplinary nature, encompassing developmental psychology, marriage and family therapy, psychodynamics, and clinical psychotherapy. Targeting those affected by preverbal trauma, the research will probe the profound impact of such trauma on the ability to establish interpersonal relationships—a fundamental aspect of human existence. It will also assess the shortcomings in current therapeutic practices, calling for a comprehensive examination leading to customized interventions. Ultimately, this proposal seeks not only to broaden the scientific comprehension of preverbal trauma’s role in emerging adult relationships but also to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application, enhancing the effectiveness of treatment and care. The subject of this proposal, focusing on preverbal trauma within the age range of 19-40, is both vital and time-sensitive, necessitating rigorous criteria for subject inclusion and exclusion. Inclusion criteria for the study are designed to target individuals who have documented histories of preverbal trauma, falling within the specified age bracket, and demonstrating observable impacts on interpersonal relationships. Participants may span various socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders to ensure a comprehensive examination of the phenomena across diverse populations. Exclusion criteria will encompass individuals outside the age range, those without a verifiable history of preverbal trauma, and those with co-occurring disorders that might confound the assessment of preverbal trauma’s effects. The importance of investigating preverbal trauma, especially within the 19-40 age group and underserved communities such as Black and Latino populations, extends far beyond academic boundaries. This research addresses a critical gap in existing therapeutic models by recognizing the hidden yet far-reaching impact of preverbal trauma on adult relationships, leading to detrimental outcomes like self-harm, anxiety, and depression. The current lack of therapies tailored to cultural, ethnic, and age-related specificities further intensifies the suffering of these individuals. The unaddressed needs of those who often face implicit trauma before the age of becoming verbal, exemplify the urgency of this issue, manifesting in alarming self-harm rates and neglected mental health challenges. The proposed study, therefore, represents both a scientific exploration and a humanitarian commitment. It calls for concerted efforts to enrich the lives of those affected by trauma, by crafting healing approaches that respect their unique contexts and experiences, thus strengthening the social cohesion of our multifaceted community. Previous investigations into trauma have primarily focused on its explicit manifestations, largely overlooking the complex domain of preverbal trauma within the 19-40 age group (Gentsch & Kuehn, 2022). Traditional studies have been inclined toward post-verbal trauma experiences, leaving the intricate dynamics of preverbal trauma underexplored (Gentsch & Kuehn, 2022). This oversight has shaped a therapeutic environment that fails to adequately address the distinct challenges of preverbal trauma sufferers, including those in marginalized communities. Existing treatments, often based on broad trauma concepts, have been ineffective in dealing with the specific interconnections between preverbal trauma and subsequent interpersonal relationship challenges. The lack of specialized research has created a void in therapy, leaving individuals to face unsupported and unaddressed struggles. The main claim of this proposal is to create a comprehensive research program addressing the specific needs and complexities of preverbal trauma among emerging adults within the age bracket of 19-40. This research will not only expand our understanding of preverbal trauma but also lead to the development of particularized therapeutic interventions, thus positively impacting the lives of those affected. References Gentsch, A., & Kuehn, E. (2022). Clinical Manifestations of Body Memories: The Impact of Past Bodily Experiences on Mental Health. Brain sciences, 12(5), 594. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12050594 1 Research Grant: An Investigation of Relationships and Therapeutic Interventions Post Preverbal Trauma Preverbal trauma among emerging adults within the age bracket of 19-40 epitomizes an insufficiently probed domain, exerting a decisive influence on an individual’s competence to forge interpersonal connections – an elemental cornerstone of human ontology (Goldstein, 2023). Research has elucidated that trauma, when regarded as an expansive paradigm, can yield pervasive and perdurable ramifications on a person’s existence, notably their interpersonal relationships. Nevertheless, the precise sphere of preverbal trauma, a crucial facet of developmental psychodynamics, has persisted predominantly uncharted, engendering a pronounced lacuna in our cognizance of its repercussions on emergent adults (Goldstein, 2023). The existential experiences of subjects with preverbal trauma abides enigmatic, akin to the prospective efficacy of particularized therapeutic interventions, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Yoga Therapy, in facilitating recuperation and the cultivation of relational bonds. Bridging this gap necessitates a comprehensive exploration of preverbal trauma through the lenses of Transcendental Phenomenology, Attachment Theory, Polyvagal Theory, and Narrative Therapy, with particular attention to the interventions of EMDR and Yoga Therapy. The overarching goal of this research is to explore the lived experiences of preverbal trauma in young adults and evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR and Yoga Therapy in healing and externalizing feelings. This objective is grounded in the pressing need to understand the subtle impact of preverbal trauma on relationship development and the potential of innovative therapeutic interventions. 2 To accomplish these objectives, the research project proposes two specific aims. First, the research aims to explore the lived experiences of individuals with preverbal trauma and understand how it affects their ability to form relationships. Utilizing Transcendental Phenomenology as a research method and implementing Attachment Theory, Polyvagal Theory, and Narrative Therapy as theoretical frameworks, this aim is anticipated to result in an in-depth understanding of the experiences of individuals with preverbal trauma. Second, the research will assess the effectiveness of EMDR and Yoga Therapy in helping individuals with preverbal trauma heal and externalize their feelings. This will involve the design and implementation of a targeted therapeutic intervention program, with the expected outcome of evidence-based insights into the potential effectiveness of EMDR and Yoga Therapy. Assuming these aims are met, the research promises to pave the way for innovative therapeutic interventions for preverbal trauma. It will contribute to a more profound understanding of the impact this type of trauma has on relationships and the potential effectiveness of interventions like EMDR and Yoga Therapy. Furthermore, the findings stand to inform theory, research, practice, and policy, providing essential support for individuals affected by preverbal trauma and enriching the broader field of psychology. The integration of sophisticated methodologies, targeted interventions, and a clear focus on a complex problem reflects an academic endeavor that seeks not only to understand but to innovate and heal. The potential impact of this research extends beyond the academic field, reaching into the lives of those affected by preverbal trauma, offering new pathways to understanding, recovery, and growth. 3 Reference Goldstein, E., King, C., Crits-Christoph, P., & Connolly Gibbons, M. B. (2023). The association between trauma and interpersonal problems in a United States community mental health setting. Journal of clinical psychology, 79(4), 1192–1207. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23467
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