Parent-Child Communication after Parental Exposure to Potentially Traumatic Events: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Child Development
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Intergenerational traumatization is a risk to child well-being.
• Parent-child communication may transmit trauma across generations, but mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review how parents exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) communicate with their children.
• To explore how this communication contributes to trauma transmission.

Main Methods:

• Mixed methods systematic literature review.
• Searched five electronic databases for 31 empirical studies on parent-child communication and PTE exposure.

Main Results:

• PTE exposure negatively impacts general parent-child communication (anger, irritability, withdrawal).
• Communication about parental PTEs varies; partial disclosure is common, driven by a desire to protect children.
• Both general and PTE-specific communication contribute to trauma transmission, affecting child well-being.

Conclusions:

• Parent-child communication significantly influences child functioning, identity, and well-being.
• Findings have implications for future research, clinical treatment, and policy for PTE-exposed families.