Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common experience among women?one that has been linked to dysfunctional parenting behaviors. Despite the prevalence of IPV- related PTSD and its impact on parenting, little is known about the mechanisms responsible for this association. The present project addresses this gap by examining the impact of IPV-related PTSD on dysfunctional parenting behaviors in a laboratory setting. Based on prior theory and empirical evidence, it is expected that a diagnosis of PTSD will be associated with more dysfunctional parenting (i.e., harsh/overreactive and lax/permissive behaviors) during routine mother-child discipline encounters. Further, drawing on prior research linking negative emotion and greater dysregulated cortisol reactivity (i.e., high or dampened) to both PTSD and dysfunctional parenting, we expect that experienced emotion and cortisol reactivity will fully mediate the relationship between PTSD status and dysfunctional parenting behaviors. To test these hypotheses, mothers and their 18- to 42-month-old children will complete a laboratory paradigm designed to elicit typical discipline encounters occurring with young children. Shortly thereafter, mothers will view a video of the interaction and provide in-the-moment ratings of their experienced emotions. Salivary cortisol will be collected from mothers prior and subsequent to the lab paradigm to assess stress-related cortisol reactivity. Knowledge gained from this study is expected to improve intervention and prevention efforts for mothers with IPV-related PTSD and their families by informing researchers and practitioners about the processes by which PTSD impacts parenting behaviors.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from intimate partner violence (IPV) against women represents a significant public health problem, often placing a substantial burden on family relationships, resulting in long term or even permanent effects on child psychological health, and contributing to healthcare costs and eventual loss of productivity. Research examining the role of IPV-related PTSD in shaping dysfunctional parenting behaviors and the mechanisms underlying this relationship is needed in order to develop effective and targeted intervention strategies aimed at addressing parenting deficits resulting from PTSD. The current project will investigate the impact of IPV-related PTSD on mothers? discipline behaviors with young children, as well as changes in biological and emotional reactivity hypothesized to underlie this relationship.
