Ellen Stephenson1, Anita DeLongis1, Rose Steele2, Susan Cadell3, Gail S Andrews4, Harold Siden4,5. 1. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 2. School of Nursing, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. School of Social Work, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada. 4. Developmental Neurosciences & Child Health, Child & Family Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 5. Departments of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, Canada.
Abstract
Objective: The present study examined the role of maternal posttraumatic growth in changes in behavioral problems among the siblings of children with complex chronic health conditions. Methods: Data were collected from a sample of 70 siblings from 58 families with at least one child diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic, metabolic, or neurological condition. Every 6 months for up to 4 years, sibling behavior problems were assessed through both parent-reports and youth self-reports. At each visit, mothers also completed self-reports of posttraumatic growth. Results: Time-lagged multilevel regression analyses revealed that higher levels of maternal posttraumatic growth predicted subsequent declines in parent-reported internalizing, externalizing, and total behavior problems among healthy siblings. These findings were partially replicated using youth self-reports of their own behavior problems. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the benefits of posttraumatic growth may extend beyond the self to other family members, particularly to children in the family.
Objective: The present study examined the role of maternal posttraumatic growth in changes in behavioral problems among the siblings of children with complex chronic health conditions. Methods: Data were collected from a sample of 70 siblings from 58 families with at least one child diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic, metabolic, or neurological condition. Every 6 months for up to 4 years, sibling behavior problems were assessed through both parent-reports and youth self-reports. At each visit, mothers also completed self-reports of posttraumatic growth. Results: Time-lagged multilevel regression analyses revealed that higher levels of maternal posttraumatic growth predicted subsequent declines in parent-reported internalizing, externalizing, and total behavior problems among healthy siblings. These findings were partially replicated using youth self-reports of their own behavior problems. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the benefits of posttraumatic growth may extend beyond the self to other family members, particularly to children in the family.
Authors: Carmelo Vazquez; Carmen Valiente; Felipe E García; Alba Contreras; Vanesa Peinado; Almudena Trucharte; Richard P Bentall Journal: J Happiness Stud Date: 2021-01-11