Veteran-child communication about parental PTSD: A mixed methods pilot study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Family Studies

Background:

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly impacts parenting, affecting parent-child relationships and child well-being.
• Communication about parental PTSD between veterans and their children is under-researched.
• Existing research on parent-child communication focuses on other health issues, not specifically PTSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore veteran parents' motivations and barriers in disclosing PTSD to their children.
• To understand veteran parents' experiences within the VA healthcare system.
• To identify desired family-centered resources for veteran parents at the VA.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study involving 19 veteran parents diagnosed with PTSD.
• Data collection through focus groups, individual interviews, and questionnaires.
• Exploration of disclosure motivations, barriers, content, VA experiences, and resource needs.

Main Results:

• Many veterans desire to discuss PTSD with children but face personal (shame, avoidance) and child-related (fear of distress, loss of respect) barriers.
• A significant percentage of veterans reported their providers do not inquire about children (21%) or that the VA is unwelcoming to parents (21%).
• Veterans expressed a need for VA-provided parenting classes, family workshops, childcare, and family therapy.

Conclusions:

• Veteran parents experience significant challenges in communicating PTSD to their children.
• The VA system requires enhancements to better support the parenting needs of veterans with PTSD.
• Implementing family-centered care and resources is crucial for improving outcomes for veteran parents and their children.