SYNOPSIS

Objective. This study investigates maternal responsive parenting behaviors as a theorized buffer to the detrimental impact of maternal PTSD symptoms on young children’s depression and anxiety symptoms, disruptive behavior, and stress-related symptoms. Design. A multi-ethnic sample of 242 trauma-exposed mothers and their preschool-aged children was assessed. Maternal responsive parenting behaviors were observed during standardized parent-child interactions. Maternal and child mental health symptoms were reported by mothers. Results. Maternal PTSD symptoms were associated with their responsive parenting behaviors and predicted children’s mental health symptoms. Responsive parenting was inversely associated with children’s depression and stress-related symptoms. Moderation analyses revealed an interactive effect of maternal symptoms and responsive parenting on preschool children’s disruptive behavior and stress-related symptoms. Conclusions. Responsive parenting behaviors can mitigate the ill effects of maternal PTSD symptoms. Nurturing relationships buffer the impact of maternal PTSD. Helping parents’ to sensitively respond to their young children’s distress can support positive outcomes in children.

 概要

客观的。这项研究调查了母亲的反应性养育行为，作为理论上的缓冲剂，以缓解母亲 PTSD 症状对幼儿抑郁和焦虑症状、破坏性行为和压力相关症状的不利影响。设计。对 242 名遭受创伤的母亲及其学龄前儿童的多种族样本进行了评估。在标准化的亲子互动中观察到母亲的回应性养育行为。母亲报告了母婴心理健康症状。结果。母亲的创伤后应激障碍症状与其反应性养育行为相关，并可预测儿童的心理健康症状。回应性养育与儿童抑郁和压力相关症状呈负相关。调节分析揭示了母亲症状和回应性养育对学龄前儿童的破坏性行为和压力相关症状的交互影响。结论。积极响应的养育行为可以减轻母亲 PTSD 症状的不良影响。养育关系可以缓冲母亲创伤后应激障碍的影响。帮助父母敏感地应对幼儿的痛苦可以支持孩子取得积极的成果。