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01-07-2015 | Original Article

Maternal Factors as Moderators or Mediators of PTSD Symptoms in Very Young Children: A Two-Year Prospective Study

Authors: Michael S. Scheeringa, Leann Myers, Frank W. Putnam, Charles H. Zeanah

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 5/2015

Abstract

Research has suggested that parenting behaviors and other parental factors impact the long-term outcome of children’s posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In a sample of 62 children between the ages of one and six who experienced life-threatening traumas, PTSD was measured prospectively 2 years apart. Seven maternal factors were measured in a multi-method, multi-informant design. Both moderation and mediation models, with different theoretical and mechanism implications, were tested. Moderation models were not significant. Mediation models were significant when the mediator variable was maternal symptoms of PTSD or depression (measured at Time 1), self-report of maternal escape/avoidance coping (measured at Time 2), or self-report emotional sensitivity (measured at Time 2). Greater maternal emotional sensitivity was associated with greater Time 2 PTSD symptoms among children. Observational measures of emotional sensitivity as the mediator were not supported. Correlation of parents’ and children’s symptoms is a robust finding, however caution is warranted in attributing children’s PTSD symptoms to insensitive parenting.

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Title: Maternal Factors as Moderators or Mediators of PTSD Symptoms in Very Young Children: A Two-Year Prospective Study
Authors: Michael S. Scheeringa
Leann Myers
Frank W. Putnam
Charles H. Zeanah
Publication date: 01-07-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Family Violence / Issue 5/2015
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9695-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Maternal Factors as Moderators or Mediators of PTSD Symptoms in Very Young Children: A Two-Year Prospective Study

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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