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A considerable number of adults who are currently living with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are also parents caring for at least one biological child. Evidence suggests that parental PTSD can be associated with impairments to certain parenting behaviours, particularly increasing the use of more negative practices. However, most of the evidence to date has been collected using quantitative methodology, which gives limited insight into why such effects might occur. The current study qualitatively explored study the lived experiences of parents currently living with PTSD, within the United Kingdom. Interviews were conducted with 30 parents (16 mothers, 14 fathers) who were recruited via a PTSD research registry, and who had children living at home under the age of 18 years at the time they experienced their trauma. Three main themes were identified: key impacts of the trauma to the parent personally; negative changes to specific parenting outcomes; impact of these parenting changes on the parent's sense of parental efficacy; and recovery and coping. These findings provide novel insight into the experiences of both mothers and fathers with PTSD, and highlight the multiple challenges faced by parents living with PTSD that extend beyond impairments to themselves as individuals. Potential implications for the implementation of effective support for parents and their families following trauma exposure are considered. Highlights: This study addressed gaps in the literature exploring the perceived impact of parental PTSD from a qualitative perspective. 30 parents were invited to take part in an interview about the day-to-day challenges of parenting following trauma. The current study offers a unique insight into the experiences of both mothers and fathers, as 47% of the sample were fathers. Three themes were identified perceived negative changes to specific parenting outcomes; impact of these parenting changes on the parent's sense of parental efficacy; and recovery and coping. The findings provide insight to the lived experiences of parents with PTSD, as well as highlighting several clinical implications for family well-being and effective functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Research on homicidal bereavement has focused on postloss impact and coping. Less is known about how individuals perceive their adjustment posthomicide. Adverse experiences are likely to leave individuals with an increased risk of developing severe psychological difficulties, such as depression, Post-traumatic stress ( PTSD), anxiety and complicated grief. This study aimed to explore how individuals perceive their change and progression posthomicide and post-psychoeducational intervention., Design: Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted both as part of a prospective study and retrospectively to allow for a longer follow-up period., Setting: Homicidally bereaved individuals who participated in a residential psychoeducational intervention offered by a national charity (Escaping Victimhood (EV))., Participants: Twenty-nine individuals (mainly females) took part: 14 as part of a 6-9-month follow-up (short-term trajectory group (STG) individuals-mean age 45.25) and 15 individuals (long-term trajectory group (LTG) individuals-mean age 48.50), retrospectively, 2 to 5 years postintervention., Results: Interviews were analysed using an inductive Thematic Analysis method. Three main themes and nine subthemes emerged, and applied to both groups, as follows: (1) actual changes perceived by the participants (increased understanding, improved coping strategies and positive self-change), (2) barriers to recovery (severe psychological difficulties over time, need for further support, reminders and close relationships with both victim and perpetrator), and finally perceived future progression (living day by day, hope and hopelessness). The only significant differences between the two groups related to the reported self-growth among LTG individuals and the perceived increased informal support among STG individuals by keeping in touch in other EV participants., Conclusion: This unique study provides insight into how homicidally bereaved individuals perceive their bereavement paths and helped to identify elements that appear to contribute for their adjustment. Importantly, it has highlighted that positive changes can also be an outcome., Competing Interests: Competing interests: This PhD is cofunded by the national charity, Escaping Victimhood, which aims to help individuals overcome grief as a result of murder or manslaughter across the UK. However, the research team work independently to the Charity and maintain their academic and scientific rigor, following standardised ethical principles and are as objective as possible. The Charity also sees the need for the research to remain independent and able to report all outcomes, all of which (positive or negative) can help their programme develop., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2018. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)