Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Expectations of Parenthood and Children's Development

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may increase the risk of adverse parenting-related outcomes. Research has not determined if PTSD symptoms correspond with more negative expectations of parenthood and unrealistic beliefs regarding children's developmental milestones. Negative and unrealistic preparenthood and developmental expectations are tied to problematic parenting-related outcomes; thus, these beliefs are important to examine within the context of PTSD. The aim of the current study was to examine whether PTSD is related to negative parenthood expectations as well as more unrealistic perceptions of children's development. Included in the study were 368 trauma-exposed adults who had yet to become parents (M age = 25.92 years, SD = 7.11; 68.2% female; 63.8% White). Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that probable PTSD was associated with more negative parenting expectations, βs = −.08-−.16. Alterations in cognitions and mood were associated with more negative perceptions of parenthood, βs = .10-−.31. However, higher levels of intrusion symptoms were related to more positive expectations of parenthood and more realistic development expectations, βs = .17-.25. The data were a satisfactory fit for the model. Thus, PTSD may be relevant in understanding perceptions of parenthood, which may be important to address and ultimately improve parenting outcomes among parents with PTSD.

Perceptions of parenthood and child development among parents who experienced child maltreatment

“…Indeed, PTSS was associated with all five of the parenting variables, in line with prior research that PTSS may be associated with more negative parenting perceptions among parents and even among individuals who have not yet become parents, including in relation to one's children, self, and social relationships (Wamser‐Nanney & Sager, 2021; Wamser‐Nanney, 2019). PTSS has also been tied to negative parenting outcomes (Gewirtz et al., 2010; Sayers et al., 2009), indicating the particular importance of targeting PTSS.…”

“…Although a previous investigation demonstrated a link between trauma exposure outside of maltreatment and more negative perceptions of one's children, the authors did not account for PTSS (Lang et al., 2010). Another study similarly reported that PTSS was related to more negative parenting beliefs on all of the four PEM subscales (Wamser‐Nanney, 2019). Given the complexities and range of maltreatment experiences, as well as distinctions in trauma symptom presentations, additional work is warranted to further parse how exposure to maltreatment types may shape parenting beliefs and practices.…”

“…Altered beliefs about one's self and others may, understandably, trickle down to alter parents’ perceptions and beliefs about parenting and children (Gewirtz et al., 2011). Indeed, PTSS have been linked to negative parental perceptions related to one's self (Wamser‐Nanney & Sager, 2021) and one's partner (Sager & Wamser‐Nanney, 2022) as well as lower parental satisfaction and support (Wamser‐Nanney & Sager, 2022) and more negative parental expectations among non‐parents (Wamser‐Nanney, 2019). These findings illustrate that PTSS may be associated with higher levels of negative parental perceptions and beliefs; however, this prior work focused on trauma over the lifespan rather than child maltreatment.…”

The Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Birth Parents in Child Protection Services: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Common PTSD symptoms, such as emotional and behavioral avoidance, negative evaluations about oneself and others, feeling detached, aggressive behaviors, and irritability (DSM5, American Psychiatric Association, (APA), 2013) are likely to impact on important interpersonal relationships including parenting behaviors (Appleyard & Osofsky, 2003; Banyard et al, 2003; Bransford & Blizard, 2017; Isosavi et al, 2017). While not all individuals exposed to trauma develop PTSD symptoms or serious parenting difficulties, parental trauma is associated with harsher physical punishment (Cohen et al, 2008), difficulty responding to emotional cues (Gibb et al, 2009), and negative expectations about parenting (Wamser-Nanney, 2019). A recent systematic review on relational patterns related to PTSD showed that parents with PTSD had difficulty being emotionally available and they perceived their children more negatively than parents without PTSD (Van Ee et al, 2016).…”