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Trauma Exposure in Relation to the Content of Mother-Child Emotional Conversations and Quality of Interaction

Author

Listed:
  • Mathilde M. Overbeek

    (Section of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Nina Koren-Karie

    (School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel)

  • Adi Erez Ben-Haim

    (School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel)

  • J. Clasien de Schipper

    (Section of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Patricia D. Dreier Gligoor

    (Section of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Carlo Schuengel

    (Section of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Parent-child conversations contribute to understanding and regulating children’s emotions. Similarities and differences in discussed topics, quality of interaction and coherence/elaboration in mother-child conversations about emotional experiences of the child were studied in dyads who had been exposed to interpersonal trauma (N = 213) and non-trauma-exposed dyads (N = 86). Results showed that in conversations about negative emotions, trauma-exposed children more often discussed trauma topics and focused less on relationship topics than non-trauma-exposed children. Trauma-exposed dyads found it more difficult to come up with a story. The most common topics chosen by dyads to discuss for each emotion were mostly similar between trauma-exposed dyads and non-trauma-exposed dyads. Dyads exposed to interpersonal traumatic events showed lower quality of interaction and less coherence/elaboration than dyads who had not experienced traumatic events. Discussion of traumatic topics was associated with lower quality of mother-child interaction and less coherent dialogues. In conclusion, the effect of the trauma is seen at several levels in mother-child interaction: topics, behavior and coherence. A focus on support in developing a secure relationship after trauma may be important for intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathilde M. Overbeek & Nina Koren-Karie & Adi Erez Ben-Haim & J. Clasien de Schipper & Patricia D. Dreier Gligoor & Carlo Schuengel, 2019. "Trauma Exposure in Relation to the Content of Mother-Child Emotional Conversations and Quality of Interaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:5:p:805-:d:211123
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