title: Topical Review: Families Coping With Child Trauma: A Naturalistic Observation Methodology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce a novel, naturalistic observational methodology (the Electronically Activated Recorder; EAR) as an opportunity to better understand the central role of the family environment in children's recovery from trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Discussion of current research methods and a systematic literature review of EAR studies on health and well-being.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surveys, experience sampling, and the EAR method each provide different opportunities and challenges for studying family interactions. We identified 17 articles describing relevant EAR studies. These investigated questions of emotional well-being, communicative behaviors, and interpersonal relationships, predominantly in adults. 5 articles reported innovative research in children, triangulating EAR-observed behavioral data (e.g., on child conflict at home) with neuroendocrine assay, sociodemographic information, and parent report. Finally, we discussed psychometric, practical, and ethical considerations for conducting EAR research with children and families.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Naturalistic observation methods such as the EAR have potential for pediatric psychology studies regarding trauma and the family environment.
authors: Monash Injury Research Institute, Monash University, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, eva.alisic@monash.edu.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Alisic
authors: Monash Injury Research Institute, Monash University.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Barrett
authors: Monash Injury Research Institute, Monash University, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Bowles
authors: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Psychology Service, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, and.
authors: Rowena
authors: R
authors: Conroy
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona.
authors: Matthias R
authors: MR
authors: Mehl
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011594:Psychometrics; D012107:Research Design; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: accidents and injuries; family functioning; posttraumatic stress; research design and methods