Relationship between parenting stress and posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology in domestic violence survivors

Few studies have examined the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on parenting. This is an important area for investigation, as the fearfulness and sense of helplessness that characterize PTSD are likely to affect one's ability to promote a sense of safety in one's child. Parenting stress, which arises specifically from the demands of parenting, may mediate the relationship between PTSD and parenting behavior. This study examined the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters and types of parenting stress experienced by women residing in domestic violence shelters. Participants were recruited from three emergency domestic violence facilities and consisted of 112 female residents from diverse ethnicities. All participants came to the shelter with at least one child. Participants completed the Impact of Events Scale, which measured overall levels of PTSD symptoms, as well as, three symptom clusters: avoidance, intrusion, and hyperarousal. In addition, they completed the Parenting Stress Index – Short Form, which assessed for overall levels of parenting stress and three subscales: Parental Distress, Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction and Difficult Child. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships among overall PTSD and Parenting Stress (p<.05), as well as a unique pattern among symptoms clusters and parenting stress. Specifically, hyperarousal and intrusive thoughts were positively associated with parental distress (p<.01; p<.05) and parental perceptions of their child being difficult (p<.05), however avoidance was only significantly associated with Parental Distress (p<.05). These data have important research and clinical implications that underscore the residual impacts domestic violence has on victims and families and suggestions for intervention.