The Impact of Trauma on Parenting

Sasha Stok, PhDMay 15, 2018

SMSC Intro• Michael Lindsey (PI) and Claude Chemtob (Co-

PI)

• Funded by Annie Casey Foundation and Robin Hood

• Targeted intervention for mothers with PTSD and children between 3-6 who have child welfare involvement

• Parenting STAIR (P-STAIR) → Skills Training in Affective Interpersonal Regulation + Parent Child Interaction Therapy

Outline

• Review of childhood trauma and outcomes

• How childhood trauma impacts adults

• How PTSD symptoms impact parenting

• Helping parents with trauma histories• Purpose of psychoeducation

• Strength-based approach

Adverse Childhood Experiences

DV

Physical/Sexual Abuse

Neglect

Poverty

Community ViolenceInstitutional

Racism

Greater chance of death, disease, impaired social and emotional functioning, alcohol and drug abuse, trauma and depression, and increased medical care costs

Unstable Housing

Inter-generationa

l Trauma

How Childhood Trauma Impacts Adults

• Early home life helps child to develop model of world.

• When early home life involves trauma → internal model is distorted.

World is safevs.

World is not safe

How Childhood Trauma Impacts Relationships

• Attachment styles developed within context of trauma can have lasting impact on relationships.

• Examples:• Preoccupied mothers (with unresolved trauma)

present as more hyperactive and in “fight” mode.

• Dismissive mothers present as more defensive and tend to detach from interactions that trigger negative emotions.

How Childhood Trauma Impacts Parenting

A history of childhood trauma can impair a parent’s ability to accurately read and respond to their child’s emotions.

“I don’t really know why he’s sad. But I don’t really deal with it…Like, I’ll do the hugging and the “it’s ok” and all that other kind of stuff but I don’t…I try not to feel anything for anything…unless I have to. That’s usually how I deal with it.”

How PTSD Symptoms Impact Parenting

RE-EXPERIENCING/ TRIGGERS

-Parenting in itself can be trigger or reminder of past trauma.

-Triggers can be scary for parent and for child, who may not understand.

AVOIDANCE/NUMBING

-Avoidance of negative emotions or memory is an adaptive defense mechanism but can impair relationship.

-May present as dissociation, substance use or physical or emotional separation form child,

HYPERAROUSAL

-Sensing danger and threats.

-Can lead to higher stress, anxiety and irritability.

Parenting Beliefs

• “The world is a tough place. Children need to learn early to protect themselves.”

• “I had a rough childhood – in and out of foster care and now my kid is going through that. Now that he is home, I am going to try my best to make up for the hurt.”

• “Kids just like to manipulate me, just trying to push my buttons. They cry and fuss over every little thing, so I just pay them no mind.”

Parenting Beliefs

Parenting Styles

Safety• Difficulties assessing risk in potential partners

and difficulties cutting ties with abusive family members.

• Mother may present as overprotective in some situations but lacking awareness of dangerous situations in others.

Helping Parents with History of Trauma

• Assess parent’s history for trauma or other mental health needs• Disclosure may occur slowly• Ask open-ended questions

• Psychoeducation – fancy word for teaching!• Help parents understand their anger, fear, resentment,

or avoidance as NORMAL reactions to past trauma.• Understand that traumatized parents are not bad. do

not judge or blame them. ALL parents make mistakes!• Present behavior is a means to cope with past.

Helping Parents with History of Trauma

• Build safe and collaborative relationship• Parent is expert!

• Accept without judgment

• Be consistent with what you say and do!

• Strengthen and encourage a parent’s self-compassion

Strength-Based Approach

Strength-Based Approach

Q & A

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