Citation

Nugent NR, Sledjeski EM, Christopher NC, Delahanty DL. Clin. Child Psychol. Psychiatry 2011; 16(4): 485-497.

Affiliation

Bradley/Hasbro ]Children's Research Center of Rhode Island Hospital, USA and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1359104511406487

PMID

21757482

Abstract

Emerging support for the roles of both early trauma and family environment in the development of dissociative symptomatology is complicated by the frequent co-occurrence of dysfunctional family environments and childhood maltreatment. The present investigation prospectively examined the influence of family environment on dissociative symptom course in 82 youths (8-18 years) who experienced accidental injury. The primary caretaker reported on six-week family environment (including family cohesion and adaptability) and on youth symptoms of dissociation prior to injury at six weeks and at six months; dissociation prior to injury was assessed via retrospective parent account at the six-week timepoint. Adolescents (aged 11-18) also reported on their own dissociative symptoms at six weeks. Latent growth modeling indicated that youth in more cohesive family environments evidenced decreased symptoms of dissociation at the six-week intercept (z = -2.80). Furthermore, parent income was negatively related to symptoms of dissociation at intercept (z = -1.96) and parent education was associated with a decrease in youth dissociation symptoms over time (z = -2.57). The present findings provide support for the importance of acute family environment in pediatric post-injury adjustment and further highlight the importance of parent resources, including income and education, in post-injury adjustment.

Language: en