Carlton D. Craig

Trauma exposure and child abuse potential: Investigating the cycle of violence

This study was designed to ascertain the relationship between trauma exposure and child abuse potential, considering a number of demographic and trauma-specific factors. The sample consisted of 1,680 caregivers with open, substantiated cases of abuse or neglect who were evaluated at a university-based outpatient assessment and treatment center. As part of a larger battery of instruments, the participants completed the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI) and a trauma history screen. In partial support of the proposed hypotheses, univariate and multivariate analyses revealed important differences in CAPI scores between the no-trauma-exposure group and the child-only, adult-only, and child-adult exposure groups. In addition, the type of trauma, age, and gender proved to be powerful predictors of elevated CAPI scores. These findings advance understanding of the developmental and cumulative effects of trauma exposure and suggest a profile of individuals who may be at risk for developing characteristics similar to known physical abusers.

Caregiver Substance Use and Child Outcomes: A Systematic Review

In spite of widespread concern that children living with substance-misusing caregivers are experiencing greater risk for maltreatment, little research examines the direct effects of caregiver substance use on child outcomes. This systematic review investigates the work done within and across disciplines of adult substance abuse, child welfare, and child mental health, including the measurement of key terms, conceptualization of primary variables, and suggested implications for translational science to practice. The findings of the review show considerable shortcomings for examining this complex problem. To move research forward, we suggest ways to improve measures and methods to provide more robust support for inferences about child maltreatment and mental health outcomes.

Complicated Grief and its Relationship to Mental Health and Well-Being Among Bosnian Refugees After Resettlement in the United States: Implications for Practice, Policy, and Research:

This study investigates mental health and well-being variables in a randomly selected sample of Bosnian refugees. The sample was predominately female (56%), with a mean age of 42, and 56.5% were educated at 12 years of school or less with 43.5% reporting more than 12 years of education. Four standardized research instruments that measured trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, complicated grief, anxiety, depression, well-being, and general mental health (a combined measure of well-being and psychological distress) were randomly disseminated among 500 Bosnian refugees with 126 (25%) surveys returned. Results revealed PTSD (66.6%), complicated grief (54%), anxiety (40%), and depression (31%) symptoms in the clinical range. A sequential regression revealed that 31% of the variance in poor general mental health was accounted for by complicated grief, whereas PTSD symptomatology only accounted for 6% of the variance. Implications for mental health interventions, research, and policy are discussed.

Factors Affecting the Completion of Trauma-Focused Treatments What Can Make a Difference?

This study expands our understanding of treatment attrition by investigating factors predicting treatment dropout in a large national data set of clinic-referred children and parents seeking trauma...

A Systematic Literature Review of PTSD Among Female Veterans From 1990 to 2010

This article reviews literature over the past twenty years concerning female veterans and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The literature identified sexual trauma, pre-military sexual trauma, combat exposure, substance misuse, and gender difference in the development of PTSD among female veterans from the Gulf War to the current conflicts. Also incorporated in the review are evidence-based and other promising treatment options for female veterans suffering from PTSD. Based on the review, female veterans experience higher rates of military sexual trauma and much of the current research on female veteran related PTSD is focused on sexual trauma that occurs while in the military. As the number of females serving in the military grows, there needs to be a continued effort in understanding the multiple issues they experience before, during, and after their time in the military. Researchers need to continue to address sexual traumas, the disparity in the diagnosis of PTSD, effective treatment options, and further understand the dynamics of comorbidity of other mental health disorders with PTSD. In addition, more research needs to be conducted on how trauma and PTSD impacts family and occupational functioning for female veterans after both their return from operational deployment and completion of military service.

Factors Associated with the Use of Evidence-Based Practices to Treat Psychological Trauma by Psychotherapists with Trauma Treatment Expertise

This paper investigates 10 socio-demographic and case characteristic variables as predictors of use of evidence-based practice and non-evidence-based practice in the treatment of psychological trauma. A national random sample of 2,400 trauma treatment specialists in all 50 states and the District of Columbia were sent surveys with a response rate of 29.6% (N = 711) usable surveys returned. Stepwise regressions conducted on evidence-based practice use indicated that special trauma training, older age, and higher percentage of PTSD on the case load were the only significant predictors of evidence-based practice use. Implications for trauma practices are indicated.

Research Awards in the Society for Social Work and Research, 1996-2000:

In 1995, the Society for Social Work and Research developed an awards program for outstanding social work research scholarship. The purpose of this study is to describe 5 years of exemplary social work research. This article presents the results of a document analysis of 299 journal articles nominated for outstanding research awards between 1996 and 2000. Articles were rated on a variety of characteristics such as research design, method, and analysis strategy. The authors found that survey methods predominate among nominated articles. However, half the award-winning articles described studies involving experimental or comparison groups and the design of interventions. Compared with survey methods, intervention research, which should obtain high priority in a practice profession, is less frequently nominated. Similarly, compared with quantitative methods, qualitative articles, which hold potential for informing practice, are less frequently nominated. Profiling exemplary research can be useful for understanding the current status of social work research.

Exploratory and Confirmatory Analysis of the Trauma Practices Questionnaire.

Objective: The present study provides psychometric data for the Trauma Practices Questionnaire (TPQ). Method: A nationally randomized sample of 2,400 surveys was sent to self-identified trauma treatment specialists, and 711 (29.6%) were returned. Results: An exploratory factor analysis (N = 319) conducted on a randomly split sample (RSS) revealed a 19-item, six-factor structure. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for the six-factor model on the second RSS (N = 320). The hypothesized model demonstrated adequate fit (comparative fit index [CFI] = .94 and root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = .07). Post hoc modifications significantly improved model fit (CFI = .95 and RMSEA = .06). Alpha reliabilities ranged from .72 to .82. Conclusions: The TPQ has evidence of validity for assessing trauma practice patterns among clinical social workers and clinical psychologists.