Objectives: This paper aims to provide a conceptual review of prior research on the effect of a history of parental childhood maltreatment on the experiences and outcomes of adult-child caregivers who provide care to their perpetrating parents. Methods: We performed a search using several databases including PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and Academic Search Premier (EBSCO) for relevant papers and reviewed reference sections of selected papers. Results: Histories of childhood maltreatment are associated with adverse psychological health in adult-child caregivers and reduced frequencies of providing support to their parents. The potential factors affecting the experiences and outcomes of such caregivers include contemporaneous relationships with perpetrating parents; caregivers' sense of choice about providing care; opportunities for posttraumatic growth; and participating in care through the end of life.Conclusions: Caregiving for perpetrating parents can be particularly challenging due to complex, intersecting factors; thus, healthcare practitioners' increased awareness of and knowledge about such caregivers are crucial to provide effective support.Clinical Implications: We highlighted the importance of ensuring caregivers' sense of choice and assessing their posttraumatic growth. In caregiving at the end of life, we noted the importance of using a trauma-informed approach when interacting with caregivers and their family members during illness and bereavement.
Objectives: This paper aims to provide a conceptual review of prior research on the effect of a history of parental childhood maltreatment on the experiences and outcomes of adult-child caregivers who provide care to their perpetrating parents. Methods: We performed a search using several databases including PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and Academic Search Premier (EBSCO) for relevant papers and reviewed reference sections of selected papers. Results: Histories of childhood maltreatment are associated with adverse psychological health in adult-child caregivers and reduced frequencies of providing support to their parents. The potential factors affecting the experiences and outcomes of such caregivers include contemporaneous relationships with perpetrating parents; caregivers' sense of choice about providing care; opportunities for posttraumatic growth; and participating in care through the end of life.Conclusions: Caregiving for perpetrating parents can be particularly challenging due to complex, intersecting factors; thus, healthcare practitioners' increased awareness of and knowledge about such caregivers are crucial to provide effective support.Clinical Implications: We highlighted the importance of ensuring caregivers' sense of choice and assessing their posttraumatic growth. In caregiving at the end of life, we noted the importance of using a trauma-informed approach when interacting with caregivers and their family members during illness and bereavement.
Authors: Karen L Fingerman; Lindsay Pitzer; Eva S Lefkowitz; Kira S Birditt; Daniel Mroczek Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2008-11 Impact factor: 4.077