Increasing Resource Parents’ Sensitivity towards Child Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms: a Descriptive Study on a Trauma-Informed Resource Parent Training

Resource parents are often insufficiently prepared for recognizing and managing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in their traumatized foster children, which can put a successful foster placement at risk. The Resource Parent Curriculum (RPC) developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network is designed to increase resource parents’ sensitivity towards child PTSS. This study explores the effect of the RPC on resource parents’ recognition of child PTSS, resource parents’ perceived upbringing stress in caring for their foster child, and child PTSS before entering the RPC (T0), after completing the RPC (T1) and at six-month follow-up (T2). Results (n = 108) show an increase in recognition of child PTSS and a decrease in resource parents’ experienced upbringing stress and child PTSS over time. Findings suggest that the RPC increases resource parents’ trauma sensitivity. However, child PTSS severity remains high. To address foster children’s PTSS, child trauma-focused treatment appears needed in addition to the RPC

Accuracy of the Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment (DIPA) in a Dutch sample

Background: To prevent negative effects of early-onset psychiatric disorders on children's development, structured diagnostics are needed. However, validated diagnostic instruments (based on DSM-5) for children aged 7 years and younger are scarce. The Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment (DIPA) is a diagnostic interview developed in the USA for measuring 16 psychiatric disorders in young children. The psychometric properties of the American version of the DIPA have been validated. Here we determined the accuracy of the psychometric properties of the Dutch DSM-5 based version of the DIPA for the corresponding population. Material and methods: Psychometric properties of the DSM-5 based version of the DIPA were determined based on a sample of 136 biological, foster, therapeutic foster and adoptive parents of clinically referred children and children involved in a serious accident (aged 1–7 years). In line with the American validation study, we included the following seven DIPA modules: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), separation anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We administered the DIPA, Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children (TSCYC) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Analyses were conducted with continuous outcomes (number of symptoms) and categorical outcomes (diagnoses). Results: The Dutch DSM-5 based version of the DIPA showed good internal consistency and interrater reliability with both continuous and categorical variables. The concurrent validity was good; we found a good concordance between the DIPA and corresponding questionnaires on both the symptom and diagnoses level. In addition, the divergence on symptom level between the DIPA and non-corresponding questionnaires was adequate, which indicated adequate divergent validity. Due to a limited number of positive cases, we could not draw conclusions regarding its psychometric properties in the GAD and OCD modules. Conclusions: Our study shows promising initial results regarding the reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the DIPA, that is based on the DSM-5. Therefore, we recommend the use of the DIPA in research and clinical practice

The Amsterdam Sexual Abuse Case: What Scars did it Leave? Long-Term Course of Psychological Problems for Children Who have been Sexually Abused at a Very Young Age, and their Parents

Longitudinal research of CSA in infancy and early childhood is scarce. The current study examined the long-term course of psychological outcomes (PTSD, dissociation and internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems) in children who were sexually abused in the early childhood. Additionally, we looked into the outcomes for their parents by assessing PTSD symptoms and negative emotional reactions towards the sexual abuse of their child. We examined the outcomes for five consecutive years in a sample of children (n = 45) who were sexually abused at a very young age (0–3) and their parents (n = 42), included in the Amsterdam Sexual Abuse Case-study. We found that outcomes following CSA in early childhood go beyond PTSD symptoms and can manifest in atypical symptoms such as behavioral problems. Parents experienced persistent PTSD in the years following CSA disclosure. CSA in very young children warrants long-term monitoring, as negative outcomes still present 8 years later

The Amsterdam Sexual Abuse Case: What Scars did it Leave? Long-Term Course of Psychological Problems for Children Who have been Sexually Abused at a Very Young Age, and their Parents

Longitudinal research of CSA in infancy and early childhood is scarce. The current study examined the long-term course of psychological outcomes (PTSD, dissociation and internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems) in children who were sexually abused in the early childhood. Additionally, we looked into the outcomes for their parents by assessing PTSD symptoms and negative emotional reactions towards the sexual abuse of their child. We examined the outcomes for five consecutive years in a sample of children (n = 45) who were sexually abused at a very young age (0–3) and their parents (n = 42), included in the Amsterdam Sexual Abuse Case-study. We found that outcomes following CSA in early childhood go beyond PTSD symptoms and can manifest in atypical symptoms such as behavioral problems. Parents experienced persistent PTSD in the years following CSA disclosure. CSA in very young children warrants long-term monitoring, as negative outcomes still present 8 years later

Short and Long-Term Parental Posttraumatic Stress After a Child’s Accident: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Studies on the long-term prevalence of parental posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) following child accidental injury are scarce, and findings on risk factors vary. In this follow-up study (T2, n = 69) we determined the prevalence of parental PTSS 2–4 years after accidental injury of their child, compared with 3 months after the accident (T1, n = 135). Additionally, we examined the association between parental and child factors and PTSS severity. Children were 8–18 years old at the time of the accident. Parent and child PTSS was assessed by self-report. Other data were retrieved from medical records and a telephone interview. Parental PTSS was 9.6% at T1 and 5.8% at T2. Acute parental stress as measured within 2 weeks of the child’s accident was significantly associated with parental PTSS severity (T1 and T2), as was the child’s hospitalization of more than 1 day at T1 and the child’s permanent physical impairment at T2. To prevent adverse long-term psychological consequences we recommend identifying and monitoring parents at risk and offering them timely treatment

Long-Term Posttraumatic Stress Following Accidental Injury in Children and Adolescents: Results of a 2–4-Year Follow-Up Study

In this study, we determined the long-term prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents after accidental injury and gained insight into factors that may be associated with the occurrence of PTSD. In a prospective longitudinal study, we assessed diagnosed PTSD and clinically significant self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in 90 children (11–22 years of age, 60% boys), 2–4 years after their accident (mean number of months 32.9, SD 6.6). The outcome was compared to the first assessment 3 months after the accident in 147 children, 8–18 years of age. The prevalence of PTSD was 11.6% at first assessment and 11.4% at follow-up. Children with PTSD or PTSS reported significantly more permanent physical impairment than children without. Children who completed psychotherapy had no symptoms or low levels of symptoms at follow-up. Given the long-term prevalence of PTSD in children following accidents, we recommend systematic monitoring of injured children. The role of possible associated factors in long-term PTSS needs further study

Predicting posttraumatic stress disorder in children and parents following accidental child injury: evaluation of the Screening Tool for Early Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (STEPP)

Children and their parents are at risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following injury due to pediatric accidental trauma. Screening could help predict those at greatest risk and provide an opportunity for monitoring so that early intervention may be provided. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Screening Tool for Early Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (STEPP) in a mixed-trauma sample in a non-English speaking country (the Netherlands). Children aged 8-18 and one of their parents were recruited in two academic level I trauma centers. The STEPP was assessed in 161 children (mean age 13.9 years) and 156 parents within one week of the accident. Three months later, clinical diagnoses and symptoms of PTSD were assessed in 147 children and 135 parents. We used the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV - Child and Parent version, the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses were performed to estimate the Areas Under the Curve as a measure of performance and to determine the optimal cut-off score in our sample. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. The aim was to maximize both sensitivity and negative predictive values. PTSD was diagnosed in 12% of the children; 10% of their parents scored above the cut-off point for PTSD. At the originally recommended cut-off scores (4 for children, 3 for parents), the sensitivity in our sample was 41% for children and 54% for parents. Negative predictive values were 92% for both groups. Adjusting the cut-off scores to 2 improved sensitivity to 82% for children and 92% for parents, with negative predictive values of 92% and 96%, respectively. With adjusted cut-off scores, the STEPP performed well: 82% of the children and 92% of the parents with a subsequent positive diagnosis were identified correctly. Special attention in the screening procedure is required because of a high rate of false positives. The STEPP appears to be a valid and useful instrument that can be used in the Netherlands as a first screening method in stepped psychotrauma care following accident

The Association Between Acute Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Children and Adolescents 3 Months After Accidental Injury

Previous research suggests that acute pain is a risk factor for later posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). In a prospective cohort study, we examined the association between acute pain from accidental injury and PTSS in children and adolescents, taking into account factors potentially related to pain or posttraumatic stress. Participants were 135 children and adolescents, 8–18 years old. We measured the worst experienced pain since the accident took place with a visual analogue scale. Three months after the accident, posttraumatic stress was assessed with a self-report measure. We found a positive association between acute pain and posttraumatic stress. The amount of pain was negatively associated with injury severity in girls and positively associated with the presence of an extremity fracture in boys. In children who reported severe pain, this pain was significantly associated with PTSS and may account for around 10% of the variance in the severity of PTSS. Although the experience of pain is subjective, our study indicates that severe pain is associated with the severity of later PTSS. Timely management of pain according to acute pain protocols in all phases and disciplines after accidental injury is therefore recommended