Smith ScholarWorks Theses, Dissertations, and Projects 2017 "A whole lot of conscious effort" : exploring how protective factors contribute to resiliency in parents who have experienced traumatic events in childhood Annelies J. Spykman Smith College Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses Part of the Social Work Commons Recommended Citation Spykman, Annelies J., ""A whole lot of conscious effort" : exploring how protective factors contribute to resiliency in parents who have experienced traumatic events in childhood" (2017). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA. https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/1922 This Masters Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in Theses, Dissertations, and Projects by an authorized administrator of Smith ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Annelies J. Spykman "A Whole Lot of Conscious Effort": Exploring How Protective Factors Contribute to Resiliency in Parents who have Experienced Traumatic Events in Childhood ABSTRACT The purpose of this research project is to address the multiple variables that contribute to trauma exposure in childhood and how it manifests in the traumatized person’s later parenting styles. The over-arching research question is: do protective factors provide sufficient supports to parents who were subjected to traumatic experiences in childhood in order to lessen the transmission of trauma to their own children? This qualitative study is an assessment of interviews with 18 participants who identify as parents who have experienced at least one traumatic event in childhood. Findings of this study implicate a high level of resilience that has provided a framework for participants to engage in more intentional parenting, resulting in improved parent-child relationships between them and their own children. i "A WHOLE LOT OF CONSCIOUS EFFORT": EXPLORING HOW PROTECTIVE FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO RESILIENCY IN PARENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMATIC EVENTS IN CHILDHOOD A project based upon an independent investigation, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work. Annelies J. Spykman Smith College School for Social Work Northampton, Massachusetts 01063 2017 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to my advisor, Michael Murphy, who offered guidance and direction during the entire process of this thesis, sharing insight about both the process and the content in a way that honored my vision. I also owe thanks to Stephanie K., who transcribed the many hours of interviews for this study, and to Sarah S., who provided expert editing consolation. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................i TABLE OF CONTENTS ..........................................................................................................ii LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................iii LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................iv CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................1 II LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................3 III METHODOLOGY ...............................................................................................................12 IV FINDINGS ...........................................................................................................................18 V DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................................93 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................102 APPENDICES Appendix A: Community Recruitment letter...............................................................................106 Appendix B: Recruitment Flyer...................................................................................................107 Appendix C: Facebook Recruitment Post....................................................................................108 Appendix D: Phone Eligibility Screening ...................................................................................109 Appendix E: Informed Consent for Focus Group .......................................................................110 Appendix F: Informed Consent for Individual Interviews……………………………………..113 Appendix G: Assurance of Research Confidentiality…………………………………………..116 Appendix H: Additional Resources in Participant's Geographic Location……………………..117 Appendix I: Demographics Questionnaire……………………………………………………...121 Appendix J: PTSD Check List, Civilian Version (PCL-C)…………………………………….123 Appendix K: Focus Group/Individual Interview Script………………………………………...124 Appendix L: HSR Approval Letter……………………………………………………………..127 Appendix M: HSR Revision Approvals………………………………………………………..128 Appendix N: Professional Transcriber Confidentiality Form…………………………………..131 iv LIST OF TABLES Table………………………………………………………………………………Page 1. Demographics of Study Participants...........................................................19 2. Case by Case Demographic Chart…………………………………………20 3. Information Regarding Children of Study Participants…………………………….21 4. Autism Reported in Participants' Children……………………………………………….21 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure…………………………………………………………………………………Page 1. Abbreviated PCL-C Participant Results……………………………………….22 2. Traumatic Experiences in Childhood by Percentage…………………………..56 vi CHAPTER I Introduction The purpose of this qualitative research study is to assess how childhood exposure to traumatic events influences parenting in adulthood. The over-arching research question is: How do protective factors provide increased resilience for parents who were subjected to traumatic experiences in childhood, and do these protective factors lessen the transmission of trauma to their own children? Previous research has highlighted many of the difficulties people who have experienced trauma in childhood encounter once they become parents themselves. This study serves to highlight some of the more positive qualities and resilience factors of parents who have experienced trauma in childhood. This qualitative study was conducted through face-to-face and phone interviews with 18 individuals who identified as experiencing at least one traumatic event in childhood. The questions did not focus on specifics of the trauma; rather, participants were asked to explain how they were supported through their traumas, and how, as parents themselves, they reacted the same or differently than their parents. Some notable findings in the literature on parental transmission of trauma show that parents with a history of trauma often begin their parenting with limited ability to effectively attune to their children, thus creating disorganized and insecure attachment styles in their infants (Chu, 2011; Van der Kolk, 2015). Attachment in infancy prepares the child for future interpersonal relationships, and these compromised children very often grow into adults who enter into abusive relationships. Women who are engaged in abusive relationships have been 1 shown to be more likely to perpetrate neglect and abuse on their children (Renner, L. M., & Slack, K. S., 2006). Intertwined in this cycle are the vulnerabilities of socioeconomic status, genetic predisposition to mental health disorders, and low IQ, which further predict the likelihood of exposure and susceptibility to lasting PTSD and complex trauma. 2 CHAPTER II Literature Review Over the past 30 years there has been an increasing body of research on complex trauma and attachment. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was primarily seen as a diagnosis given to combat soldiers, however researchers and clinicians began to recognize similar symptomatology in people who had suffered interpersonal violence such as childhood abuse, sexual assault, and witnessing a violent act. People who had suffered one incident of trauma were more likely to be able to overcome the event with proper processing, however people who had been exposed to multiple traumatic incidents, or chronic trauma, especially since childhood, were showing the same signs of dysregulation and inability to cope as soldiers returning from war (Herman, 1997; Van der Kolk, 2015). Severe childhood trauma is associated with later diagnoses of PTSD, dissociative disorders, and borderline personality disorder (Chu, 2011, p. 21), each of which carry symptoms that interrupt interpersonal functioning. Although it should be noted that not all people who are exposed to traumatic experiences go on to develop traumatic stress, as these instances are often filtered through an individual’s internal coping resources (Herman, 1997; Yehuda & Flory, 2007). When people who have been victims of chronic childhood abuse go on to have children, they often inadvertently enter into a perpetuating cycle due to their damaged capacity to attune to and protect their children (Chu, 2011; Van der Kolk, 2015). Attachment theory divides attachment styles between mothers and children into four separate categories (Chu, 2011; Van der Kolk, 2015; Shilkret & Shilkret, 2011). Children who develop secure attachment 3 styles typically have a mother