Citation

Ostrowski SA, Christopher NC, Delahanty DL. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2007; 32(3): 338-342.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, 118 Kent Hall, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsl003

PMID

16717137

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To longitudinally examine the impact of maternal posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) on child adjustment following a child's traumatic injury, focusing on child gender differences. METHODS: Forty-one child traumatic injury victims aged 8-18 years and their biological mothers were interviewed over two follow-ups (6 weeks and 7 months). Children were administered the Clinician-Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale for Children and Adolescents (CAPS-CA), whereas mothers completed the CAPS. RESULTS: Six weeks post trauma, maternal PTSS were significantly related to PTSS in boys but not in girls. However, at 7 months, maternal PTSS were strongly related to child PTSS in both boys and girls. Significant 6-week maternal distress-child gender interactions suggested that maternal PTSS, especially avoidance, predicted greater 7-month PTSS but that this was primarily because of a significant relationship in females. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal distress was found to negatively impact subsequent child adjustment, particularly in females. These results underscore the importance of considering family-centered interventions for child PTSD, especially in girls.

Language: en