title: The influence of family environment on dissociation in pediatric injury patients.
abstract: Emerging support for the roles of both early trauma and family environment in the development of dissociative symptomatology is complicated by the frequent co-occurrence of dysfunctional family environments and childhood maltreatment. The present investigation prospectively examined the influence of family environment on dissociative symptom course in 82 youths (8-18 years) who experienced accidental injury. The primary caretaker reported on six-week family environment (including family cohesion and adaptability) and on youth symptoms of dissociation prior to injury at six weeks and at six months; dissociation prior to injury was assessed via retrospective parent account at the six-week timepoint. Adolescents (aged 11-18) also reported on their own dissociative symptoms at six weeks. Latent growth modeling indicated that youth in more cohesive family environments evidenced decreased symptoms of dissociation at the six-week intercept (z = -2.80). Furthermore, parent income was negatively related to symptoms of dissociation at intercept (z = -1.96) and parent education was associated with a decrease in youth dissociation symptoms over time (z = -2.57). The present findings provide support for the importance of acute family environment in pediatric post-injury adjustment and further highlight the importance of parent resources, including income and education, in post-injury adjustment.
authors.affiliation: Bradley/Hasbro Children's Research Center of Rhode Island Hospital, RI 02903, USA. Nicole_Nugent@brown.edu
authors.forename: Nicole R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Nugent
authors.forename: Eve M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Sledjeski
authors.forename: Norman C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Christopher
authors.forename: Douglas L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Delahanty
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012944:Social Support; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*