Family Rituals in Low‐Income African American Families at Risk for Trauma Exposure and Associations with Toddlers’ Regulation of Distress

Abstract

This study included 75 mother-father-toddler triadic low-income families. Mothers and fathers reported separately on their own posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and family rituals while children were rated by an independent observer during an emotionally eliciting task on key indicators of regulation of distress. Regression analyses supported a significant association between key dimensions of family rituals and Toddlers' regulation of distress: occurrence, continuation, and spirituality. Effect sizes of tested relationships were strong, ranging from 25% to 36% of variance in children's distress explained. Family rituals are a salient intervention target in families and specifically help support children's developing emotion regulation competencies. Certain dimensions of family rituals may be particularly relevant to African American families, considering cultural resiliency factors. Clinical implications are discussed.

Paternal biopsychosocial resilience in triadic interactions among African American/Black families exposed to trauma and socioeconomic adversity

“…Families were included in this sample if at least one parent identified as having African American/Black heritage (20% of children were multiracial based on parents' self-described ethnoracial heritage). This Young Families (TEDY) study (Bocknek, 2018). Forty-seven percent of families based on maternal report reported an aggregate income of less than $15,000 annually, which demonstrates the socioeconomic risk level of the sample.…”

“…We respond to these questions while controlling for children's baseline behavior as well as variation in sociodemographic risk in our sample. (Bocknek, 2018). Forty-seven percent of families based on maternal report reported an aggregate income of less than $15,000 annually, which demonstrates the socioeconomic risk level of the sample.…”

“…This subsample of participants is selected from a larger study examining family resilience among families facing economic adversity. Data were collected from families residing in Detroit, Michigan, during the years of 2013–2015 in the Toddlers' Emotional Development in Young Families (TEDY) study (Bocknek, 2018). Forty‐seven percent of families based on maternal report reported an aggregate income of less than $15,000 annually, which demonstrates the socioeconomic risk level of the sample.…”

A survey of some aspects of birthday celebration

“…Rituals are known to contribute to social cohesion and positively affect physical and mental health ( 5 ). Performance of them within family improves children’s self-organizational skills, support their emotional development, and lead to better coherence between single parents and their offspring ( 6 ).…”

We Shall Overcome: The Association Between Family of Origin Adversity, Coming to Terms, and Relationship Quality in African Americans

“…This can be done through family rituals. These family rituals allow African American children to interact with their history and culture in positive ways and can help children develop more refined emotional regulation skills (Bockneck, 2018).…”