Rockhold MN, Kautz-Turnbull C, Handley ED, Petrenko CLM. The trauma experiences of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Developmental outcomes utilizing a threat/deprivation child adversity framework. Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.). 2023 Jul. DOI: 10.1111/acer.15144. PMID: 37423769.
Abstract
Background
Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) experience heightened rates of childhood trauma and adversity. Research has examined the negative impact adverse childhood experiences have on developmental outcomes. This study aims to take the field a step further by examining the details of traumatic events including duration, perpetrator, whether the event significantly impacted the child, and trauma subtype. Subtype is examined using threat/ deprivation dimensions and their relation to child behavior and caregiver-child relationship.
Methods
A sample of 84 children with FASD ages 4-12, all in out-of-home placements, and their families took part in an emotion coaching intervention study. At baseline, caregivers completed questionnaires assessing child trauma, child emotion regulation and behavior, caregiver emotion socialization, and caregiver-child relationships.
Results
Descriptive statistics showed that 87.5% of individuals experience three or more subtypes of trauma. The average duration of all subtypes was 1.62 years, with a mean onset of 3.94 years. Biological parents were the most common perpetrator. ANCOVAs, controlling for age, demonstrated significantly worse behavioral and caregiver-child relationship outcomes for those experiencing a combination of threat and deprivation trauma. Partial Pearson’s r correlations, controlling for age, demonstrated longer duration of deprivation was associated with greater cognitive difficulties.
Conclusions
Unique patterns of behavior are found in children with FASD when analyzing the impact of traumatic experiences through a threat/deprivation framework. The combination of both threat and deprivation experiences lends to worse outcomes overall. Additionally, vital details surrounding the traumatic experiences point to crucial areas for intervention.
Retrieved from https://europepmc.org/article/med/37423769