PTSD in Families: Research Shows Link Between Parent-Child Trauma and Maternal Regulation, BGU Study Finds

A research group led by Prof. Naama Atzaba-Poria, head of the Duet Center at Ben-Gurion University in the Negev, examined the connection between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parents and children and the mother’s regulatory function. A successful regulatory function is characterized by the ability to delay reactions and reorganize according to a changing reality. For example, if a child startles in a panic because of a loud noise from a passing plane, and the mother notices and explains the cause to the child, she has demonstrated sensitivity and awareness of the child’s needs in a changing reality. If, on the same morning, there were sirens in their area, and the changing reality becomes a security threat, this ability becomes even more critical.

According to the Mayo Clinic, PTSD is a mental health condition that’s caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event — either being part of it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Most people who go through traumatic events may have a hard time adjusting and coping for a short time. But with time and by taking good care of themselves, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or years, and affect their ability to function daily, they may have PTSD.

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PTSD in young children can manifest in subtle ways, often through play or disturbing dreams, as they reenact or relive traumatic experiences. Research suggests that a mother’s role in regulating her child’s emotions and thoughts can significantly impact their ability to cope with trauma.

By engaging in everyday activities like preparing meals or completing tasks, mothers help their children develop a sense of structure and order. This, in turn, allows children to perceive the world from different angles, notice details, and respond appropriately. In crisis situations, a mother’s guidance can be even more critical, enabling children to make quick, informed decisions and navigate through challenging circumstances.

Families living in southern Israel are exposed to varying levels of security threats, ranging from families residing in communities near Gaza (up to 20 km from the Gaza Strip) to more distant settlements in the southern part of the country (up to 40 km from the Gaza Strip).

The study was conducted among a sample that included 131 mothers and their firstborn children, aged 10-45 months (52% boys), as they approached the arrival of their second child (in the third trimester of pregnancy). Most parents were married, and most families experienced varying degrees of exposure to threats and missile fire, primarily in cities such as Beer-Sheva, Sderot, and Ashkelon. The mothers completed computerized tasks to assess their executive functions, such as the ability to update working memory content or inhibit a dominant response that is irrelevant to the situation. Additionally, they filled out online questionnaires that focused on identifying symptoms of post-traumatic stress in both the mothers and the children.

The results indicated that children showed elevated levels of PTSD symptoms when their mothers experienced higher levels of PTSD symptoms. However, the mother’s ability to mediate the threatening situation significantly reduced the link between mother and child PTSD symptoms, buffering the potential influence that maternal mental health, in particular PTSD symptoms on child’s mental health, in the region under threat.

“It appears that the mother’s ability to efficiently monitor relevant information in her environment and delay impulsive reactions contributes to her ability to respond more reflectively, recognizing the needs of her children and enhancing their sense of security. Consequently, children may feel more protected and, therefore, be at a lower risk of developing PTSD symptoms,” explains Prof. Atzaba-Poria, “In clinical practice and in daily life, these findings may be useful in identifying families that may require more support and assistance under complex security threats.”