Posttraumatic Symptoms in 3-7 Year Old Trauma-Exposed Children: Links to Impairment, Other Mental Health Symptoms, Caregiver PTSD, and Caregiver Stress

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in mothers and adolescents after the Wenchuan earthquake: A cross-sectional and longitudinal network analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study used network analysis to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal network between PTSD symptoms within mother-adolescent dyads at 12 and 18 months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.

METHODS

The sample was from the Wenchuan Earthquake Adolescent Health Cohort. 399 mother-adolescent dyads completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Self-Rating Scale at 12 and 18 months after the earthquake. We assessed central symptoms (those with the most significant influence on other symptoms) and bridge symptoms (symptoms connecting different communities) in contemporary networks (i.e., cross-sectional networks). Subsequently, cross-lagged panel network analyses (CLPN) were performed to estimate longitudinal relationships among symptoms between dyads.

RESULTS

In the contemporary networks, symptoms such as "intrusive thoughts" of both dyads and "flashbacks" of adolescents were central, indicating that they are crucial in maintaining the network of PTSD symptoms. Additional symptoms such as maternal "difficulty in concentration" and dyads' "pessimism and disappointment" should also be considered because of their central roles. Moreover, the temporary network did not directly replicate the contemporary networks, with adolescents' "nightmares" at 12 months having a high influence on other PTSD symptoms at 18 months.

LIMITATIONS

Self-reported tools other than clinical diagnoses were used to collect data.

CONCLUSIONS

These symptom-level associations at cross-sectional and longitudinal networks extend our understanding of PTSD symptoms among mother-adolescent dyads by pointing to specific key symptoms of PTSD that may drive the co-occurrence of PTSD among dyads. Recognizing these symptoms is imperative for the development of targeted interventions and treatments aimed at addressing comorbid PTSD in mother-adolescent dyads.

Outcomes of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for families presenting with child maltreatment: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The developmental consequences of childhood trauma for young children are extensive and impact a diverse range of areas. Young children require treatments that consider their developmental stage and are inclusive of caregiver involvement. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), with its dyadic focus and developmental sensitivity, is uniquely positioned to offer therapeutic support to young children and their families.

AIM

The current study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the current literature on PCIT and trauma and determine treatment outcomes for children and caregivers.

METHOD

A systematic review of five electronic databases was undertaken. Studies that utilized PCIT to treat a population who had experienced trauma were included in the review regardless of study design.

RESULTS

PCIT was used to treat a population who had experienced trauma in 40 studies. PCIT was an effective treatment in improving a variety of child and parent outcomes in this population including reduced parenting stress, child behavior problems, child trauma symptoms, parental mental health concerns, negative parenting strategies, and reducing potential risk of recidivism of abuse and neglect. These findings should be taken with caution given attrition rates and potential for bias in the study samples.

DISCUSSION

Clinicians should consider PCIT as a potential treatment for children who have experienced trauma and their families. Future research should incorporate corroborative sources of information, assessment of caregiver and child trauma symptoms, examination of permanency outcomes, and consider standardization of PCIT modifications for child trauma to determine treatment in this population of children.