City Research Online

Abstract

This study explores the transmission of trauma in 30 Middle Eastern refugee families in Denmark, where one or both parents were referred for treatment of PTSD symptoms and had non-traumatized children aged 4–9 years. The aim of the study was to explore potential risk and protective factors by examining the association between intra-family communication style regarding the parents’ traumatic experiences from the past, children’s psychosocial adjustment and attachment security. A negative impact of parental trauma on children might be indicated, as children’s Total Difficulties Scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were significantly higher than the Danish norms. A negative association between children’s attachment security as measured by the Attachment and Traumatization Story Task and higher scores on the SDQ Total Difficulties Scale approached significance, suggesting that the transmission of trauma may be associated with disruptions in children’s attachment representations. Furthermore a significant association between parental trauma communication and children’s attachment style was found.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Attachment and Human Development on 25/11/15, available online: http://wwww.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14616734.2015.1113305
Publisher Keywords:	Transgenerational transmission of trauma, intra-family trauma communication, attachment security, refugee children, mental health
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology J Political Science > JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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