HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 018 MC

A long-term study of Australian adults found that individuals who experienced childhood trauma were more likely to develop anxiety disorders in adulthood. This relationship remained significant even when controlling for education level, income and current lifestyle factors.

Further analysis revealed that these individuals exhibited altered stress hormone responses and changes in brain structure compared to those without trauma history.

Which combination of health determinants best explains this complex health outcome?

Biomedical factors and environmental factors
Health behaviours and socioeconomic characteristics
Broad features of society and health behaviours
Environmental factors and health behaviours

Show Answers Only

\(A\)

Show Worked Solution

A is correct. The altered stress hormone responses and brain changes represent biomedical factors (physiological changes), while childhood trauma represents environmental factors (early life exposures).

Other options:
B is incorrect because while education and income (socioeconomic characteristics) are mentioned, the study controlled for these factors, indicating they aren’t the primary explanatory variables.
C is incorrect because broad features of society aren’t specifically addressed, and health behaviours were controlled for in the analysis.
D is incorrect because while environmental factors (childhood trauma) are key, health behaviours were controlled for, suggesting they aren’t primary explanatory factors for the relationship.