Posttraumatic Stress and Depression in the Nonoffending Caregivers of Sexually Abused Children: Associations With Parenting Practices

Abstract

Caregiver mental health is a known correlate of parenting practices, and recent research indicated that parental depression following childhood sexual abuse disclosure is associated with concurrent parenting difficulties. The present study extended this line of research by investigating posttraumatic stress symptoms and depression in a sample of caregivers (N=96) of children who experienced sexual abuse recruited from a Children’s Advocacy Center, as well as parenting practices reported by both caregivers and their children (Mean age = 10.79 years, SD = 3.29; 79% female). Twenty four percent of caregivers met criteria for presumptive clinical depression, clinically significant posttraumatic stress, or both. Results indicated elevated caregiver-reported inconsistent parenting in the context of clinically significant distress across symptom groups; children reported particularly elevated inconsistent parenting for caregivers with posttraumatic stress only. Caregiver depression was associated with low self-reported positive parenting and caregiver involvement, in addition to self-reported inconsistencies. Directions for future research are offered to further elucidate the relationships between caregiver mental health and parenting practices following childhood sexual abuse.

The Impact of Child Sexual Abuse Discovery on Caregivers and Families: A Qualitative Study

“…Using a rigorous qualitative research methodology, our findings are consistent with prior research showing high levels of distress and common feelings of anger, depression, and guilt among caregivers of sexually abused children (Davies, 1995; Hill, 2001; Jobe-Shields et al, 2016; Kelley, 1990; Lewin & Bergin, 2001; Manion et al, 1996; Mannarino et al, 2007; McCourt et al, 1998; Runyon et al, 2014; Santa-Sosa et al, 2013). The specific sources of distress identified by caregivers in our study are in line with previous research.…”

“…Studies have found high levels of distress, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression among caregivers of sexually abused children (Jobe-Shields, Swiecicki, Fritz, Stinnette, & Hanson, 2016; Kelley, 1990; Lewin & Bergin, 2001; Manion et al, 1996; Mannarino, Cohen, Deblinger, & Steer, 2007; Runyon, Spandorfer, & Schroeder, 2014; Santa-Sosa, Steer, Deblinger, & Runyon, 2013). Symptoms of caregiver distress have been shown to be comparable in severity to those of female psychiatric outpatients and persist up to 1 to 2 years after a child’s sexual abuse disclosure (Kelley, 1990; Newberger, Gremy, Waternaux, & Newberger, 1993).…”

Correlates and Predictors of Mothers’ Adaptation and Trauma Symptoms Following the Unveiling of the Sexual Abuse of Their Child

“…A considerable number of mothers with a history of unresolved trauma have also been found to experience comorbid mental health problems, mainly PTSD and depression symptoms or diagnoses (Ammerman, Putnam, Chard, Stevens, & Van Ginkel, 2012;Jobe-Shields, Swiecicki, Fritz, Stinnette, & Hanson, 2016). Clinically speaking, such comorbidity is more often expected in mothers with a CSA history and can be particularly significant when it concerns the mothers of children who have been recently victimized.…”

Intervention Strategies for Promoting Recovery and Healing from Child Sexual Abuse

“…Following disclosure or discovery that their child has been sexually abused, nonoffending caregivers may experience depression, posttraumatic stress and increases in anxiety [36]. Shields and colleagues found that following child sexual abuse disclosure, 24% of caregivers met diagnostic criteria for depression or PTSD or both [36].…”

“…Following disclosure or discovery that their child has been sexually abused, nonoffending caregivers may experience depression, posttraumatic stress and increases in anxiety [36]. Shields and colleagues found that following child sexual abuse disclosure, 24% of caregivers met diagnostic criteria for depression or PTSD or both [36]. Parental distress was associated with decreases in positive Intervention Strategies for Promoting Recovery and Healing from Child Sexual Abuse DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97106 parenting and caregiver involvement with the victim.…”