Tracing the evolution of psychological trauma research in children and adolescents: a bibliometric analysis of SSCI-indexed articles and reviews

Purpose This study aims to examine the structural characteristics, thematic patterns and temporal trends of Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI)-indexed research on psychological trauma in children and adolescents using a bibliometric approach. Design/methodology/approach A total of 9,624 articles and reviews published between 2000 and 2025 and indexed in the SSCI within the Web of Science Core Collection were analyzed. Bibliometric analyses were conducted using VOSviewer to examine publication trends, citation patterns, author–keyword co-occurrence networks and changes in thematic emphasis over time. Findings The literature has expanded substantially, particularly since the 2010s, while also becoming more thematically diverse. Abuse, violence and trauma-related psychopathology remain central, but resilience, intervention and social-context themes have become increasingly prominent. Temporal patterns indicate a broader shift from predominantly symptom- and diagnosis-focused research toward greater attention to recovery, protective processes, intervention and contextual influences. Originality/value By mapping 25 years of SSCI-indexed research, this study provides an integrated account of how the field has evolved beyond its established emphasis on symptoms and psychopathology. It highlights the growing prominence of resilience, intervention and contextual perspectives and identifies directions for research across diverse cultural and socioeconomic settings.