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Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies 1/2023

24-03-2022 | Original Paper

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Parenting Competence among Israeli Male Veterans: The Mediating Roles of Experiential Avoidance and Parental Reflective Functioning

Auteur: Gadi Zerach

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies | Uitgave 1/2023

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Abstract

Although empirical studies have documented associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and parenting among various high-risk populations, there is a relatively limited amount of research on paternal parenting among veterans. Moreover, the understanding of possible mechanisms which may account for this effect is severely lacking. This study examined associations between military related PTSS and parenting sense of competence (PSOC) among veteran fathers. Furthermore, we examined the mediating role of experiential avoidance (EA) and parental reflective functioning (PRF) in the association between PTSS and PSOC. Participants were 189 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) male combat veterans (mean age = 30.03) who completed a set of validated self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional design study. Results showed negative associations between PTSS and PSOC-parental satisfaction but not parental efficacy. Furthermore, EA mediated the association between PTSS and parental satisfaction and efficacy; PRF- Pre mentalizing modes mediated the association between PTSS and parental satisfaction. Our findings imply that EA and PRF may serve as mechanisms of the association between PTSS and PSOC among veteran fathers. These findings are discussed in light of a psychological trauma perspective, and clinical implications to increase fathers’ mentalization and psychological flexibility are suggested.
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Metagegevens
Titel
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Parenting Competence among Israeli Male Veterans: The Mediating Roles of Experiential Avoidance and Parental Reflective Functioning
Auteur
Gadi Zerach
Publicatiedatum
24-03-2022
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Child and Family Studies / Uitgave 1/2023
Print ISSN: 1062-1024
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02288-z

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