Citation

Lombardo KL, Motta RW. Traumatology 2008; 14(3): 57-67.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, Publisher APA Journals)

DOI

10.1177/1534765608320331

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between parental mental illness with and without comorbid traumatic symptoms, and secondary trauma in children was explored. There were three groups of parent-child dyads (N = 106). Group I included parents with mental illness and comorbid traumatization, and their children. Group II included parents with mental illness and no traumatization, and their children. Group III included non-mentally ill parents and their children. The measures used in the study consisted of the Secondary Trauma Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children, the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21-Item Version, and the Modified PTSD Symptom Scale -- Self Report.

RESULTS indicated that children of parents with mental illness experience significantly more secondary trauma than children of non-ill parents, regardless of parental traumatization. In addition, secondary trauma in children was correlated with depression and anxiety.

Language: en