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Trauma, complex PTSD, and somatoform dissociation among disadvantaged parents in a community center: Prevalence and relationships with parenting and children’s behavioral problems

Author

Listed:
  • Hong Wang Fung
  • Zheyuan Mai
  • Henry Tak Shing Chiu
  • Henry Wai-Hang Ling
  • Shu Cheng Chen
  • Maddie Weng Ian Ho
  • Kyle Langjie He
  • Edward KS Wang

Abstract

Background: Although the health effects of trauma have been increasingly recognized, much less is known about the intergenerational effects of trauma and its outcomes. Aims: This study examined trauma and trauma-related mental health problems among socio-economically disadvantaged parents. Methods: We recruited parents in disadvantaged housing and living conditions from a community development center in Hong Kong (response rate = 74.09%). Participants completed standardized self-report measures. Results: In this sample of 203 parents, 40.39% and 43.84%, respectively, reported at least one childhood and adulthood traumatic event; 6.90% suffered from probable ICD-11 PTSD/Complex PTSD and/or somatoform dissociation. Parents’ disturbances in self-organization (DSO) symptoms were associated with problematic parenting styles. Parents’ childhood trauma and DSO symptoms were also associated with children’s behavioral problems. Conclusions: Although trauma is not particularly prevalent in this sample, trauma and trauma-related symptoms are strongly linked to problematic parenting styles (such as over-reacting) and children’s behavioral issues. More attention to the intergenerational effects of trauma is necessary from a public mental health perspective.

Suggested Citation

  • Hong Wang Fung & Zheyuan Mai & Henry Tak Shing Chiu & Henry Wai-Hang Ling & Shu Cheng Chen & Maddie Weng Ian Ho & Kyle Langjie He & Edward KS Wang, 2026. "Trauma, complex PTSD, and somatoform dissociation among disadvantaged parents in a community center: Prevalence and relationships with parenting and children’s behavioral problems," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 72(1), pages 55-62, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:72:y:2026:i:1:p:55-62
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640251355829
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sophie Isobel & Melinda Goodyear & Trentham Furness & Kim Foster, 2019. "Preventing intergenerational trauma transmission: A critical interpretive synthesis," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(7-8), pages 1100-1113, April.
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