Abstract
While parental post‐trauma support is considered theoretically important for child adjustment, empirical evidence concerning the specific aspects of parental responding that influence child post‐traumatic distress, or the processes via which any such impacts occur, is extremely limited. We conducted a longitudinal examination of whether parental post‐trauma appraisals, trauma‐specific support style and general parenting style predicted child post‐traumatic stress symptom severity (PTSS) following trauma; and whether such influences operated via the child's own appraisals and coping style.
Method
We recruited 132 parent–child pairs following children's experience of acute trauma. We examined whether parental responses assessed at 1‐month post‐trauma, predicted child PTSS at 6‐month follow‐up. Parental trauma‐specific appraisals and responses, and general parenting style, were assessed via both self‐report and direct observations. Child‐report questionnaires were used to assess PTSS and potential mediators.
Results
Initial parent negative appraisals and encouragement of avoidant coping were associated with higher child‐reported PTSS at 6‐month follow‐up. Predictive effects were maintained even when controlling for initial child symptom levels. Observational assessments broadly supported conclusions from self‐report. There was evidence that parental influences may operate, in part, by influencing the child's own appraisals and coping responses. In contrast, there was no evidence for an influence of more “adaptive” support or general parenting style on child PTSS.
Conclusions
Findings provide important insight into how elements of social support may influence child post‐trauma outcomes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 12846 |
| Pages (from-to) | 781-789 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| Early online date | 2 Dec 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 19 Jun 2018 |
Keywords
- Child
- Cognitive behavioural
- Longitudinal
- Parenting
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
A longitudinal investigation of the role of parental responses in predicting children's post-traumatic distress. / Hiller, Rachel M.; Meiser-Stedman, Richard; Lobo, Sarah; Creswell, Cathy; Fearon, Pasco; Ehlers, Anke; Murray, Lynne; Halligan, Sarah L.
In: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 59, No. 7, 12846, 19.06.2018, p. 781-789.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - A longitudinal investigation of the role of parental responses in predicting children's post-traumatic distress
AU - Hiller, Rachel M.
AU - Meiser-Stedman, Richard
AU - Lobo, Sarah
AU - Creswell, Cathy
AU - Fearon, Pasco
AU - Ehlers, Anke
AU - Murray, Lynne
AU - Halligan, Sarah L.
PY - 2018/6/19
Y1 - 2018/6/19
N2 - BackgroundWhile parental post‐trauma support is considered theoretically important for child adjustment, empirical evidence concerning the specific aspects of parental responding that influence child post‐traumatic distress, or the processes via which any such impacts occur, is extremely limited. We conducted a longitudinal examination of whether parental post‐trauma appraisals, trauma‐specific support style and general parenting style predicted child post‐traumatic stress symptom severity (PTSS) following trauma; and whether such influences operated via the child's own appraisals and coping style.MethodWe recruited 132 parent–child pairs following children's experience of acute trauma. We examined whether parental responses assessed at 1‐month post‐trauma, predicted child PTSS at 6‐month follow‐up. Parental trauma‐specific appraisals and responses, and general parenting style, were assessed via both self‐report and direct observations. Child‐report questionnaires were used to assess PTSS and potential mediators.ResultsInitial parent negative appraisals and encouragement of avoidant coping were associated with higher child‐reported PTSS at 6‐month follow‐up. Predictive effects were maintained even when controlling for initial child symptom levels. Observational assessments broadly supported conclusions from self‐report. There was evidence that parental influences may operate, in part, by influencing the child's own appraisals and coping responses. In contrast, there was no evidence for an influence of more “adaptive” support or general parenting style on child PTSS.ConclusionsFindings provide important insight into how elements of social support may influence child post‐trauma outcomes.
AB - BackgroundWhile parental post‐trauma support is considered theoretically important for child adjustment, empirical evidence concerning the specific aspects of parental responding that influence child post‐traumatic distress, or the processes via which any such impacts occur, is extremely limited. We conducted a longitudinal examination of whether parental post‐trauma appraisals, trauma‐specific support style and general parenting style predicted child post‐traumatic stress symptom severity (PTSS) following trauma; and whether such influences operated via the child's own appraisals and coping style.MethodWe recruited 132 parent–child pairs following children's experience of acute trauma. We examined whether parental responses assessed at 1‐month post‐trauma, predicted child PTSS at 6‐month follow‐up. Parental trauma‐specific appraisals and responses, and general parenting style, were assessed via both self‐report and direct observations. Child‐report questionnaires were used to assess PTSS and potential mediators.ResultsInitial parent negative appraisals and encouragement of avoidant coping were associated with higher child‐reported PTSS at 6‐month follow‐up. Predictive effects were maintained even when controlling for initial child symptom levels. Observational assessments broadly supported conclusions from self‐report. There was evidence that parental influences may operate, in part, by influencing the child's own appraisals and coping responses. In contrast, there was no evidence for an influence of more “adaptive” support or general parenting style on child PTSS.ConclusionsFindings provide important insight into how elements of social support may influence child post‐trauma outcomes.
KW - Child
KW - Cognitive behavioural
KW - Longitudinal
KW - Parenting
KW - Post-traumatic stress disorder
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85036521139&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/jcpp.12846
DO - 10.1111/jcpp.12846
M3 - Article
VL - 59
SP - 781
EP - 789
JO - Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
JF - Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
SN - 0021-9630
IS - 7
M1 - 12846
ER -