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A systematic literature review of the relationship between parenting responses and child post-traumatic stress symptoms

Afzal, Nimrah; Ye, Siyan; Page, Amy C.; Trickey, David; Lyttle, Mark D.; Hiller, Rachel M.; Halligan, Sarah L.

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Authors

Nimrah Afzal

Siyan Ye

Amy C. Page

David Trickey

Rachel M. Hiller

Sarah L. Halligan



Abstract

Background: Parents are a key source of support for children exposed to single-incident/acute traumas and can thereby play a potentially significant role in children’s post-trauma psychological adjustment. However, the evidence base examining parental responses to child trauma and child posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) has yielded mixed findings. Objective: We conducted a systematic review examining domains of parental responding in relation to child PTSS outcomes. Method: Studies were included if they (1) assessed children (6-19 years) exposed to a potentially traumatic event, (2) assessed parental responses to a child’s trauma, and (3) quantitatively assessed the relationship between parental responses and child PTSS outcomes. A systematic search of three databases (APAPsycNet, PTSDpubs, and Web of Science) yielded 27 manuscripts. Results: Parental overprotection, trauma communication, avoidance of trauma discussion and of trauma reminders, and distraction were consistently related to child PTSS. There was more limited evidence of a role for trauma-related appraisals, harsh parenting, and positive parenting in influencing child outcomes. Significant limitations to the evidence base were identified, including limited longitudinal evidence, single informant bias and small effect sizes. Conclusion: We conclude that key domains of parental responses could be potential intervention targets, but further research must validate the relationship between these parental responses and child PTSS outcomes.

Journal Article Type Review
Acceptance Date Nov 29, 2022
Online Publication Date Dec 20, 2022
Publication Date Jan 1, 2023
Deposit Date Jan 13, 2023
Publicly Available Date Jan 13, 2023
Journal European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Electronic ISSN 2000-8066
Publisher Taylor & Francis Open
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 14
Issue 1
Article Number 2156053
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2022.2156053
Keywords PTSD; child trauma; parent–child relationship; post-traumatic stress; parenting
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10275888
Publisher URL https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008066.2022.2156053

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