Towards a more comprehensive understanding of PTSD and parenting.

BACKGROUND: The impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on parenting and the parent-child relationship has been well-documented in the scientific literature. However, some conceptual and methodological challenges within this research field remain. PROCEDURE: We reflect on a number of challenges that we identified while examining the literature in preparation of an individual participant data meta-analysis on the relationships between PTSD and parenting. FINDINGS: We address 1) the presence of 'trauma-islands'; 2) the need for transdiagnostic theoretical frameworks for mechanisms between PTSD and parenting; 3) the lack of developmental perspectives; 4) the overuse of self-reported retrospective measures; 5) the need to study more diverse samples and cultural contexts; and 6) the lack of research on resilience and post-traumatic growth in parenting. Based on these reflections, we offer suggestions on strategies for responding to these challenges through: 1) welcoming open science; 2) working towards shared theoretical frameworks; 3) doing more longitudinal research 4) expanding the methodological palette; 5) centering lived experience; and 6) taking systemic inequality into account. CONCLUSION: With this commentary, we aim to open a discussion on next steps towards a more comprehensive understanding of the association between PTSD and parenting, and inspire collaborative research.

Study protocol: development and randomized controlled trial of a preventive blended care parenting intervention for parents with PTSD.

BACKGROUND: Children of parents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at increased risk of adverse psychological outcomes. An important risk mechanism is impaired parental functioning, including negative parenting behavior, perceived incompetence, and lack of social support. Several parenting interventions for trauma-exposed parents and parents with psychiatric disorders exist, but none have specifically targeted parents with PTSD. Our objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of a blended care preventive parenting intervention for parents with PTSD. METHODS: The intervention was adapted from an existing online intervention, KopOpOuders Self-Help. In co-creation with parents with PTSD and partners, the intervention was adapted into KopOpOuders-PTSD, by adding PTSD-specific content and three in-person-sessions with a mental health prevention professional. Effectiveness will be tested in a randomized controlled trial among N = 142 parents being treated for PTSD at Arkin Mental Health Care (control condition: treatment as usual, n = 71; intervention condition: treatment as usual + intervention, n = 71). Online questionnaires at pretest, posttest, and three-month follow-up and ecological momentary assessment at pretest and posttest will be used. Intervention effects on primary (parenting behavior) and secondary outcomes (perceived parenting competence, parental social support, parenting stress, child overall psychological problems and PTSD symptoms) will be analyzed using generalized linear mixed modeling. We will also analyze possible moderation effects of parental PTSD symptoms at pretest on primary and secondary outcomes. DISCUSSION: This study protocol describes the randomized controlled trial of KopOpOuders-PTSD, a blended care preventive parenting intervention for parents with PTSD. Findings can contribute to understanding of the effectiveness of parenting support in clinical practice for PTSD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This protocol (Version 1) was registered on 11-02-2022 at ClinicalTrials.gov under identification number NCT05237999.

Post-traumatic growth as positive personality change: Challenges, opportunities, and recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: Post-traumatic growth typically refers to enduring positive psychological change experienced as a result of adversity, trauma, or highly challenging life circumstances. Critics have challenged insights from much of the prior research on this topic, pinpointing its significant methodological limitations. In response to these critiques, we propose that post-traumatic growth can be more accurately captured in terms of personality change-an approach that affords a more rigorous examination of the phenomenon. METHOD: We outline a set of conceptual and methodological questions and considerations for future work on the topic of post-traumatic growth. RESULTS: We provide a series of recommendations for researchers from across the disciplines of clinical/counseling, developmental, health, personality, and social psychology and beyond, who are interested in improving the quality of research examining resilience and growth in the context of adversity. CONCLUSION: We are hopeful that these recommendations will pave the way for a more accurate understanding of the ubiquity, durability, and causal processes underlying post-traumatic growth.

Trajectories of traumatic stress reactions in children exposed to intimate partner violence.

BACKGROUND: Understanding different longitudinal patterns of traumatic stress reactions in children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) can promote early identification of at-risk children. OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to explore trajectories of traumatic stress reactions following childhood IPV exposure, and their relation with parental traumatic stress and child emotional security in the interparental subsystem. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 303 children (age 3-10, M = 6.20) from families referred to institutions for IPV. Data were collected at home. METHODS: Three waves of parent-reported questionnaire data were analyzed using latent class growth analysis and linear regression. RESULTS: Five trajectories were identified: 'resilient', 'moderate stable', 'struggling', 'improving', and 'elevated adjusting'. Only the 'struggling' trajectory had dysfunctional symptom levels at the final wave. Higher parental traumatic stress predicted 'improving' trajectory membership (ß = 0.17, p = .033), whereas lower parental traumatic stress (ß = -0.20, p = .003) and child emotional insecurity (ß = -0.45, p = < .001) predicted 'resilient' trajectory membership. Higher child emotional insecurity predicted membership in trajectories with higher initial traumatic stress (improving: ß = 0.26, p < .001; struggling: ß = 0.31, p < .001; elevated adjusting: ß = 0.27, p < .001). Child emotional security did not buffer the effect of parental traumatic stress on likelihood of dysfunctional trajectory membership (ß = 0.04, p =.380). CONCLUSIONS: Children exposed to IPV show different trajectories of traumatic stress reactions, partly corresponding to trajectories identified in other populations. Child emotional security and parental traumatic stress predict trajectory membership.