Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma最新文献

Although caregiver reports of adverse life events (ALEs) in young children yield notable discrepancies for face-to-face interview vs. paper-and-pencil questionnaire assessments, the factors contributing to these differences are not well understood. The present study addressed this knowledge gap by examining multiple factor domains for caregivers (e.g., caregivers' assessment beliefs, mental health, demographics) that might play a role in these discrepancies. Participants were 57 caregivers (M _age = 33.72; 96.5% biological mothers; 61.4% Black/African American) of pre-school and school-age children who completed an interview and questionnaire ALE assessment, as well as measures of mental health challenges and research participation beliefs (e.g., positive experience, privacy, research rights). Concordance between formats at the participant level was mostly in the moderate range. Results suggested that participants were more likely to believe they could exercise their research rights (e.g., know they could terminate the assessment at any time) during the interview format relative to questionnaire format. Caregiver mental health, race-congruence with the interviewer, and participation beliefs were not significantly associated with total agreement. However, participants from lower federal poverty levels tended to demonstrate lower agreement between formats, compared to participants from higher federal poverty levels. Taken together, these findings highlight the need for dual approaches to assess ALEs in children when relying on caregiver report, as well as to ensure the aspects of the ALE administration procedure (including before and after the ALE assessment) are similar across assessment formats. This may be especially important when working with families from low-income backgrounds to improve detection of ALEs in young children.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-026-00817-2.

Children entering foster care have often been exposed to a myriad of traumatic events- abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence (Shaw et al., 2015). These experiences can be destabilizing and dysregulating, and present considerable challenges to resource parents charged with introducing stability into their lives (Humphreys et al., 2022). Trauma-informed parenting strategies are noted to improve a resource parent's capacity to manage a child's trauma sequelae, and to improve family resiliency, though many of these programs are didactic in nature. For families needing therapeutic support, evidence-based intervention options are limited (Angelow et al., 2023; Patterson et al., 2018).

Methods: This pilot study examines intervention feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of the Trauma-Informed Parenting for Resource Parents intervention in 34 resource parents, over time. It was hypothesized that disruption worry, trauma-informed knowledge and skills, caregiving efficacy, and secondary traumatic stress would improve, considering the number of placements, child sex and age, and mode of delivery.

Results: Statistically significant changes were noted in disruption worry and knowledge and skills from pre to post that were sustained at follow-up. Significant changes in empathy were noted that varied by the sex of the index child; improvements remained constant at follow-up. Session rating scores indicated intervention acceptability, and measures of feasibility identified significant challenges related to completion of study measures, even in those who completed the intervention.

Implications: Based on the results of this study, there is evidence of effectiveness though authors recommend enhancements to the intervention and evaluation protocol for further implementation and study.

While the association between childhood traumatic experiences and subsequent adolescent delinquent behaviors is well established, commensurate understanding of the mitigating role of resilience factors remain poorly understood and warrant further investigation. This systematic review aims to examine empirically validated resilience factors that mitigate the negative outcome associated with childhood traumatic experience among adolescents who engage in, or are at risk of, delinquent behaviors. A total of 104 studies published between 2004 to 2022 were systematically identified according to PRISMA Guidelines through PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Dissertation & Thesis Global through ProQuest, and Sociological Abstract in May 2023. 67 studies were screened, and twelve studies that met the inclusion criteria were included. The findings were summarized. The result indicated that both internal (e.g., positive coping styles, religiosity, age, future orientation, self-esteem, mastery, sense of relatedness and emotional reactivity); and external resilience factors (e.g., family communication, school connectedness, engagement in community traditions, and peer role models) can contribute to ameliorating the impact of childhood traumatic experiences. This systematic review provides an empirical and conceptual examination of resilience factors that may prevent or mitigate the negative outcome of childhood traumatic experiences among adolescents who engage in, or are at risk of, delinquent behaviors. A conceptual model of the interaction between internal and external resilience factors and recommendations for future research were provided. The number and limitations of included studies also indicate the urgent need for more primary research in this area.

This study aims to examine the acute stress responses in children and adolescents following these earthquakes, focusing on developmental differences across age groups. This study included 70 children and adolescents aged 2-18, who experienced the earthquakes and were recruited from a specialized child and adolescent disaster outpatient clinic between February 8 and March 9, 2023. The sample was divided into three age groups: preschool (2-6 years), school-age (6-11 years), and adolescent (11-18 years). The Acute Stress Disorder Short Scale -Child Age 11-17 (NSESSS) was used to assess acute stress symptoms in adolescents. Sociodemographic data and earthquake-related experiences were also collected. Of the 70 participants, 11.4% met the diagnostic criteria for acute stress disorder (ASD). The prevalence of ASD was 5.8% in preschoolers, 9.3% in school-aged children, and 16% in adolescents. The most common symptoms varied by age group, with arousal symptoms being the most frequent across all groups. Sleep problems were prevalent, affecting 70.6% of preschoolers, 57.1% of school-aged children, and 76% of adolescents. The study highlighted the importance of early identification and intervention for psychological distress following natural disasters. The findings underscore the acute mental health impact of earthquakes on children and adolescents, revealing significant symptomatology even in the absence of formal ASD diagnosis. Tailored interventions considering developmental stages are essential for effective support and recovery. Further research with larger samples is needed to deepen understanding and improve post-disaster mental health strategies for young populations.

Young children with disabilities experience trauma at high rates. Early childhood special education teachers play a critical role in supporting these children through the use of trauma-informed care. This study explored early childhood special education teachers' trauma-informed attitudes and practices. Twelve early childhood special education teachers in one Midwestern state participated in this study. A mixed methods study was conducted, with participants completing a survey to measure trauma-informed attitudes and participating in interviews to explore trauma-informed practices. Participants were aware of the impact of trauma on the children in their class and described various factors that impacted their use of trauma-informed care. Implications for research and practice are discussed related to the provision of trauma-informed care for young children with disabilities.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), particularly those related to caregiving, can compromise the attachment bond that children establish with their primary caregivers. This study aimed to understand, through a systematic review, the relationship between ACEs that occurred in early life and the symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) during adolescence. Using the PRISMA methodology, a search was conducted in the Web of Contents databases Science, ProQuest Central, PubMed and Scopus. The search yielded 1,443 results, of which only 8 met the inclusion criteria. The results show that there is a relationship between ACEs and a greater presence of RAD symptoms, as well as other mental health problems in adolescents. Likewise, those adolescents who are under some protective measure and have experienced ACEs, present more symptoms associated with RAD. It can be concluded that ACEs have negative consequences on establishing secure bonds, leading to more significant development of RAD and its maintenance during adolescence. The results can help to propose prevention and intervention strategies in vulnerable groups.

Given the pervasiveness of childhood trauma, there is a move to create models to support trauma-affected children in schools. The Regulate, Relate and Reason (3R's) phase of the Neurosequential Model in Education (NME) is an example. However, historical models such as Montessori, have largely been ignored. The aim of this study was to compare the 3R's of the NME with the Montessori model, (which historically was reputed to be effective in healing trauma-affected children) and examine whether Montessori's model aligns with the neuroscientific principles and practices undergirding the 3R's of the NME. Braun & Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis was used. The three themes identified were: - how Montessori (a) intentionally incorporated activities into the curriculum that provided repetitive neural input to the brainstem thus helping children to regulate; (b) intentionally created a rich relational environment (a non-traditional teacher, mixed age groups and peer teaching); and (c) explained that children are neurobiologically unable, rather than unwilling, to use reason when they are distressed. This paper suggests that the century year old Montessori model aligns closely with the neuroscientific principles undergirding the NME (3Rs), and that evidence of this alignment could be empowering for the thousands of contemporary Montessori educators globally (who are increasingly facing the task of supporting trauma-affected children), because it will provide them with further scientific backing for the uniqueness of the Montessori model and may enhance their professional practice and confidence giving them a 'head-start' in relation to their ability to support trauma-affected children.

Adolescence is a critical period of heightened susceptibility to gang membership. Given the severe consequences of adolescent gang membership, it has been recognized as a public health concern in need of further investigation. Recent research has adopted a trauma-informed perspective to adolescent gang membership and demonstrated that experiences of childhood trauma exposure are key risk factors propelling youth toward gang participation. The trauma-informed perspective on gang membership has further shown that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) plays a pivotal role in facilitating the link between trauma exposure and adolescent gang membership. However, a significant limitation of the literature is the scarce information regarding the impact of other mental health difficulties, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders, on the path between distinct abuse experiences, such as physical victimization, and adolescent gang membership. The present study used a subsample (n = 6,599, 61% youth of color) of the 2018 National Survey of Youth in Custody data to examine the connections among self-reported physical victimization, mental health problems (i.e., PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorders), and gang membership. Results from path analysis indicated that PTSD helped explain the positive links between physical victimization and gang membership, whereas MDD helped reduce these links, and anxiety disorders had no significant effects. These findings suggest that certain mental health difficulties may place youth at risk of gang membership (e.g., PTSD), whereas others, such as MDD, may mitigate this risk. Ultimately, the results underscore the need to continue using a trauma-informed lens in youth gang research.

Much of prior literature examines potentially traumatic event (PTE) exposure as a cumulative risk, though PTEs may not have an equal impact on substance use (SU). In the current study, we test McLaughlin & Sheridan's (2016) model in a sample of 11,800 community youth (ages 9-15 years old) enrolled in the nationwide, longitudinal Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study to examine the impact of PTE types on SU. We analyze concurrent associations between PTE types (physical abuse, domestic violence, community violence, emotional neglect, poverty, and institutionalization / deprivation) and substance use (pooling alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine) and prospective associations whereby exposure to different PTE types predicts SU one year later (self-medication hypothesis). For concurrent associations, we find emotional neglect and physical abuse were significantly positively related to SU. In terms of prospective associations, institutionalization / deprivation, emotional neglect, and physical abuse significantly positively predicted SU. A majority of associations between PTE types and SU were accounted for by other PTE types and time-varying covariates (e.g., internalizing/externalizing symptoms). The association between PTEs and SU during adolescence varies across PTE types. PTEs categorized as physical abuse and emotional neglect are more likely to lead to SU. Findings suggest that surveillance for SU is especially warranted in youth experiencing emotional neglect and physical abuse relative to other PTEs. Future research should examine more types of PTEs along a wider age span to replicate findings.