Benjamin D. Freer

Narrative coherence and the trauma experience: an exploratory mixed-method analysis.

The current study examines trauma narratives from 28 survivors of interpersonal violence. A mixed-method approach assessed coherence and explored narrative characteristics among differentially exposed groups. The quantitative analysis revealed: (1) exposure to repetitive interpersonal violence was described with greater perception of severity and emotional tone than single interpersonal violence episodes, and (2) exposure to interpersonal violence in childhood was described with greater emotional tone than exposure to interpersonal violence in adulthood. The qualitative analysis revealed: (1) traumatic events were connected to proceeding adverse experiences, (2) attempted avoidance of memories of the violence, (3) an altered view of the self, and (4) lacked recognition that the violence was abnormal. The study supports the “dose-response relationship” of trauma exposure, and the life-altering, transformative nature of trauma exposure.

The Impact of Trauma Exposure on Parenting Stress in Rural America

This study investigates trauma exposure as a risk factor for increased parenting stress, controlling for social support utilization and specific caregiver characteristics. Interviews were conducted with 190 caregivers of children ages 3 to 12 in rural Appalachia to determine the prevalence and type of trauma exposure using a trauma detail form, and parenting stress as measured by the Parenting Stress Inventory. Half of the participants reported lifetime exposure to trauma, and 44% reported 3 or more exposures. A similar trend was noted for children with 73% of caregivers reporting more than one child exposure. Logistic regression revealed trauma exposure alone, as compared to trauma related disorder, predicted greater parenting distress; parent’s perception of their child as difficult; and increased risk for dysfunctional parent-child relationships. Identifying individual trauma exposure as a family risk factor provides an opportunity for early intervention, and can help indicate relational models of care that are most appropriate for trauma-exposed parents and children.

The Impact of Child Abuse Potential on Adaptive Functioning: Early Identification of Risk

Previous research has investigated the deleterious effects of child maltreatment on child development; however, little research has examined the development of children who live with caregivers who are at risk of maltreatment on child development outcomes. This study utilized self-report data from caregivers that included the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI), Parenting Stress Inventory-Short Form (PSI/SF), and Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-2nd Edition (ABAS-II) for 116 children ages 3-12 from a rural, Appalachian community. Caregivers with lower child abuse potential, children who used fewer school services, older children, and caregivers with lower household income had better total adaptive skills. Caregivers with lower child abuse potential, children who used fewer school services and older children had better functioning on the academic skills subscale. Children who used fewer school services, were older, and had lower family income had greater self-care skills. Finally, children who used fewer school services had greater communication skills. Parent-child dysfunction was not related to child development outcomes. The findings demonstrate that educators are in a unique position to intervene and support children at risk of maltreatment.

The Relationship Between Defense Style and Self-Esteem in a Sample of Cognitive Complainers

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