Mental Health Outcomes of Children Whose Parents have PTSD: A Systematic Review

Thiele, Pia (2024) Mental Health Outcomes of Children Whose Parents have PTSD: A Systematic Review. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Children of parents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can experience various challenges due to their parents' disorder. This systematic literature review provides a summary of mental health outcomes in the offspring of parents with PTSD and identifies risk- and protective factors for negative mental health outcomes. In February 2023, PsychInfo was searched for literature. The final sample consisted of 9 studies. Results on emotional outcomes suggest an increased risk for psychopathology in offspring—specifically, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and internalized symptoms. Offspring behavioral outcomes were mixed, with half of the studies finding a significant association between parental PTSD and internalizing- and externalizing behavioral problems in their offspring. Outcomes related to family functioning propose ambivalent connections between family members. On the one hand, offspring displayed avoidance behavior towards the parent with PTSD, the topic of PTSD, and self-isolation. Additionally, the offspring described feeling a lack of connection within the family. On the other hand, offspring described a strong family bond and offered emotional and instrumental support towards their parent. Risk- and protective factors were having chronic PTSD compared to other PTSD trajectories. Within PTSD, symptoms of the avoidance cluster and cognitive- and arousal alterations particularly influenced offspring symptomatology, whereas intrusive symptoms did not. Protective factors were identified as having multiple siblings and a parent with an education level higher than high school. More research on the effect of PTSD on offspring mental health outcomes is needed, and interventions such as the 'SAFE' program (Sherman et al., 2003) need further development. Keywords: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), parental PTSD, children’s mental health, adolescent mental health, systematic review

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Karsten, J.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Forensic Psychology and Victimology (FP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	28 Jun 2024 10:24
Last Modified:	28 Jun 2024 10:24
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3547

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