Veterans’ perceptions of the impact of PTSD on their parenting and children.

• DOI: 10.1037/ser0000101
• Publication Date: 2016-07-21T13:58:50Z
• Authors: Michelle D. Sherman; Jenna L. Gress Smith; Kristy Straits-Tr...; Jessica L. Larsen; Abigail Gewirtz
• Keywords: PsycINFO; Veterans Affairs; Affect; Exploratory research

Although considerable research has examined the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on couples and partners, relatively little is known about how it can affect parenting, children, parent-child relationship. adverse effects parental PTSD child functioning have been documented, processes by which these outcomes occur are unknown. Further, parents' perspectives their affects parenting children yet to be studied. This 3-site, mixed methods exploratory study included 19 veteran parents who had a diagnosis PTSD. Participants were recruited from Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. participated in focus groups or individual interviews completed questionnaires, responding questions as parents. Two sets themes emerged qualitative inquiry. First, veterans reported difficulties that associated with three symptom clusters, including avoidance, alterations arousal reactivity, negative cognitions mood. Second, described both emotional (e.g., hurt, confusion, frustration, fear) behavioral withdrawal, mimicking behavior) reactions children. also shared numerous ways provided practical support. Implications findings for future research, program development, clinical care offered, free online resource based this research. (PsycINFO Database Record