A Qualitative Metasynthesis of Mothers’ Adverse Childhood Experiences and Parenting Practices

Herbell, Kayla; Bloom, Tina

doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2020.03.003

Cited by 22 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…The first five years of a child's life are critical for brain development, and as such, early nurturing experiences and relationships with caregivers during this period provide the foundation for later functioning and well-being [18]. However, a parent's history of abuse, trauma and mental health problems may pose a threat to the parent-child relationship [15,[19][20][21] and in turn, impact the child's development [22].…”

Section: Trauma and Parentingmentioning

confidence: 99%

How trauma related to sex trafficking challenges parenting: Insights from Mexican and Central American survivors in the US

Marti-Castaner¹,

Fowler²,

Landers³

et al. 2021

PLoS ONE

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Sex trafficking, a form of human trafficking for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, with a global prevalence of 4.5 million, has pervasive effects in the mental and physical health of survivors. However, little is known about the experiences and needs of Latinx migrants (the majority of sex trafficking victims in the US) after trafficking, particularly regarding parenting. This QUAL-quant study examines how 14 survivors of sex trafficking (mean age = 30) from Mexico and Central America encounter and respond to parenting experiences after escaping sexual exploitation. Combining a bio-ecological model of parenting with Zimmerman’s framework on human trafficking we identified how trauma related to sex trafficking can challenge parenting and how relational and contextual pre and post trafficking factors (dis)enable women to respond to such challenges. Psychological consequences of daily victimization primarily manifested in three ways: overprotective parenting in a world perceived to be unsafe, emotional withdraw when struggling with stress and mental health symptoms, and challenges building confidence as mothers. These experiences were accentuated by pre-trafficking experiences of neglect and abuse, forced separation from their older children, poverty post-trafficking, and migration-related stressors. Yet, finding meaning in the birth of their child, having social support, and faith, also enable mothers to cope with such challenges. We conclude that motherhood after surviving sex trafficking presents new challenges and opportunities in the path to recovery from trauma. Interventions at the policy, community and individual level are needed to support survivors of sex trafficking as they enter motherhood.

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Section: Trauma and Parentingmentioning

confidence: 99%

How trauma related to sex trafficking challenges parenting: Insights from Mexican and Central American survivors in the US

Marti-Castaner¹,

Fowler²,

Landers³

et al. 2021

PLoS ONE

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“…Still, many NA parents went to great lengths to ensure their children were not exposed to the harsh realities of life in an oppressive environment, including financial stress, instability, child welfare system involvement, and substance abuse. Parents often desired to protect their children from some of the negative experiences and stress they themselves experienced as children (Herbell & Bloom, 2020). These participants seemed to understand the exposure to undue stress and trauma would have negative effects on the wellness of children.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies show that low rates of parental supervision and monitoring are associated with higher rates of alcohol abuse (Urbaeva et al, 2017;Walls et al, 2007), substance use (Boyd-Ball et al, 2014), and violence exposure (Pu et al, 2013) for NA youth, suggesting the protective role of parental monitoring. Parents who are survivors of childhood abuse and trauma are more likely to monitor children's activities closely (Herbell & Bloom, 2020). Parents justify this close supervision by wanting to protect children from the traumatic experiences they survived (Herbell & Bloom, 2020).…”

Section: Parenting In High-risk Environmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Parents who are survivors of childhood abuse and trauma are more likely to monitor children's activities closely (Herbell & Bloom, 2020). Parents justify this close supervision by wanting to protect children from the traumatic experiences they survived (Herbell & Bloom, 2020). Since trauma is disproportionately high in NA communities (Beals et al, 2013), this protection from realistic harm is an important strategy to offset high-risk environments.…”

Section: Parenting In High-risk Environmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“I Have to Watch Them Closely”: Native American Parenting Practice and Philosophies

et al. 2021

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One of many ways that Native American (NA) families demonstrate resilience is by parenting children in some of the most adverse contexts in U.S. society. We use the framework of historical oppression, resilience, and transcendence (FHORT) in a critical ethnography to qualitatively explore the parenting philosophies and practices that NAs use to protect children from the risks of an oppressive context. Data were drawn from 436 members of two Southeastern NA tribes. A team-based critical ethnographic data analysis approach was used to analyze these findings, revealing the following themes: (a) "Your Kids Come First": Prioritizing Children's Needs; (b) "They Should Enjoy their Childhood": Sheltering Children from Family Stressors; (c) "I Have to Watch Them Closely": Closely Monitoring Children; and, (d) "There's No Drinking at My House": Preventing Children's Exposure to Substance Abuse. Results indicate that NA parents adopt child-centric mindsets and use a number of positive practices to protect their children from the potentially harmful environments created through historical oppression.

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“…Evidence has shown that poor substance use treatment outcomes, such as relapse, challenges with comorbid mental illness, and lower levels of improvement in treatment, are associated with high ACE prevalence ( Sacks et al, 2008 , Derefinko et al, 2019 , Rosen et al, 2002 , Farrugia et al, 2011 , Kumar et al, 2016 ). The literature on trauma and parenting has consistently found that high levels of ACE are also linked to increased parenting stress, insecure parent–child attachment, negative parenting behaviors, and fear and confusion surrounding discipline ( Slesnick and Zhang, 2016 , Herbell and Bloom, 2020 , Moe et al, 2018 ). Like many other consequences of experiencing numerous ACEs, these outcomes could be attributed to the dysregulation and hyperactivity of the stress response that is developed when significant adversity occurs ( Lê-Scherban et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adverse childhood experiences among females in substance use treatment and their children: A pilot study

Smith

Brumage

Zullig

et al. 2021

Preventive Medicine Reports

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Women with substance use disorder (SUD) often have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The intergenerational nature of ACEs also put their children at risk for experiencing ACEs. However, no research has explored the prevalence of ACEs in children whose mothers have SUD. This study assessed ACE scores in mothers with SUD and their children and compared them with non-SUD participants. Females with SUD were recruited from a treatment center (n = 50) and compared to females without SUD from the same area (n = 50). The ACE scores of the participants and their children were measured as well as sociodemographic variables. ANOVA and Fisher’s Exact tests were used to examine univariate differences. Multivariate regression models assessed the difference in ACE scores between the groups and their children and the relationship between maternal and child ACE scores while including sociodemographic confounders. The mean ACE score was significantly higher in SUD participants (4.9, SD = 2.9) when compared to non-SUD participants (1.9, SD = 2.0) after controlling for sociodemographic variables (p < .01). Children of treatment participants also had significantly higher mean ACE scores (3.9, SD = 2.3) than children of comparison participants (1.3, SD = 2.0, p < .01). Maternal ACE score was positively related to children’s ACE score after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Given the intergenerational nature of ACEs and their high burden in both mothers and children in substance use treatment, these preliminary findings suggest that mother–child trauma-informed interventions may be appropriate for this population.

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A Qualitative Metasynthesis of Mothers’ Adverse Childhood Experiences and Parenting Practices

Cited by 22 publications

References 53 publications

How trauma related to sex trafficking challenges parenting: Insights from Mexican and Central American survivors in the US

How trauma related to sex trafficking challenges parenting: Insights from Mexican and Central American survivors in the US

“I Have to Watch Them Closely”: Native American Parenting Practice and Philosophies

Adverse childhood experiences among females in substance use treatment and their children: A pilot study

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