Trauma & Imagery: How Life Experiences Shape Perception
- Personal experiences, notably past trauma, substantially influence how people perceive visual imagery, a new Drexel University study suggests.Researchers focused on how individuals respond to images of decorated masks,...
- The research, published in Frontiers in Psychology, indicates that traumatic life events affect the perception of trauma-related imagery.
- Girija kaimal, EdD, an associate professor at Drexel's College of Nursing and health Professions, led the research team with Asli Arslanbek-Evci, a recent doctoral graduate.
Past trauma profoundly shapes how we perceive visual imagery,according too a new Drexel University study. Researchers discovered a direct link between personal experiences and emotional responses to perhaps distressing images, especially those depicting masks.Individuals with a history of trauma showed heightened emotional reactions to such imagery. This connection impacts mental health and opens new avenues for trauma recovery. The research, published in Frontiers in Psychology, provides insights into how the brain processes visual facts influenced by life events, potentially reshaping therapeutic approaches.Discover how these findings could influence art therapy and other treatments, as reported by News Directory 3. What are the implications for public health strategies?
Trauma’s Impact: How Life Experiences Shape Perception of Traumatic Imagery
Updated June 13, 2025
Personal experiences, notably past trauma, substantially influence how people perceive visual imagery, a new Drexel University study suggests.Researchers focused on how individuals respond to images of decorated masks, some neutral and some depicting distress, to understand this connection between life history and visual perception.
The research, published in Frontiers in Psychology, indicates that traumatic life events affect the perception of trauma-related imagery. neutral images elicited less emotional response compared to those showing moral, psychological, or physical injuries. this study highlights the critically important link between personal trauma and responses to visual imagery, impacting mental health and trauma recovery.
Girija kaimal, EdD, an associate professor at Drexel’s College of Nursing and health Professions, led the research team with Asli Arslanbek-Evci, a recent doctoral graduate. John Williamson,PhD,an associate professor from the University of Florida,co-authored the paper.
“this shows the important associations between personal experiences of trauma and how we respond to visual imagery,” said Kaimal.
The study involved an anonymous online survey where nearly 700 participants rated 98 mask images based on arousal, emotional response, and personal relevance. The masks included artwork by military service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alongside neutral masks created by the research team. Participants also completed the Life Events Checklist, detailing their experiences with traumatic events.
The findings revealed that images representing injury or trauma provoked stronger emotional reactions compared to neutral images. This heightened emotional response was particularly evident among individuals with a history of adversity and trauma. The study underscores the power of evocative images to activate emotions linked to past experiences,influencing both personal connection and emotional activation.
“We found imagery with intense emotional content including distress and pain were more likely to evoke heightened emotion and a sense of personal relevance for individuals who have experienced adversities and trauma in their life,” said Arslanbek-Evci.
Kaimal noted the unique role of masks in the study, explaining that masks mimic the human face, which has a distinct brain pathway related to recognition, empathy, and responses to pain. In art therapy, mask-making is recognized as a safe and effective medium for self-expression and psychological distance.
What’s next
Researchers hope future studies will explore how these responses vary based on age, gender, trauma type, and different types of imagery, including humans, nature, and environments. These insights can improve therapeutic practices and support trauma recovery, while also informing mass communications and public health strategies.