Dr. Amiyah Waldman-Levy, a clinical associate professor in the Katz School’s OT doctoral program, is the paper’s senior author and a parent-child relationship expert.
Dave DeFusco
Katz School research shows that maternal exposure to traumatic experiences can impede children’s psychological development, but strong family relationships and participation in play and leisure activities can help reduce these negative effects. It turned out that.
The study, published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies, “Children’s Play and Leisure Engagement: The Effects of Maternal Traumatic Events,” reveals the relationship between trauma, family relationships, and the role of child play in buffering the negative effects of parenting. It highlights the complex relationships. In the aftermath of my mother’s trauma.
“Sensitive and sensitive parenting has long been recognized as a protective factor for children and adolescents that promotes psychological well-being and healthy emotional regulation,” said senior author and clinical associate professor at the Katz School. said Dr. Amiyah Waldman Levy. Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.
The findings showed that children whose mothers reported exposure to trauma and poor family relationships had fewer emotional and social difficulties if they actively participated in play and leisure activities. That’s what it means. This suggests that play provides children with mental space to process negative emotions and develop social skills, even when the home environment is emotionally difficult.
“Family relationships are fundamental to children’s psychological adjustment, and responsive and nurturing care promotes safety and well-being,” said study co-author Dr. Ricky Finzi-Dottan, professor of sociology at Bar-Ilan University. said. work. “Our study found that negative parenting practices, such as maternal rejection, were strongly associated with poorer emotional outcomes for children, especially in families plagued by trauma.”
Although family dynamics are extremely important, this study found that family relationships did not mediate the relationship between maternal rejection and children’s psychological adjustment. Instead, it was children’s participation in play and leisure activities that acted as a buffer against the negative effects of maternal rejection.
Trauma can limit the emotional resources needed for stress management and effective parenting, leading to maladaptive parenting behaviors such as child unresponsiveness and rejection. Mothers exposed to trauma may have difficulty engaging positively with their children and may misinterpret or perceive their children’s behavior more negatively, directly impacting their parenting practices. The study, which included 99 mothers and children aged 6 to 12, found that these effects were most pronounced during the transition from early childhood to middle childhood, a critical period of children’s psychological development. It emphasizes that.
While the negative effects of maternal trauma on children’s mental health are well-documented, this study further found that participation in play and leisure activities, such as sports and social interaction, may be linked to the negative effects of poor parenting due to trauma. It says it could help offset the situation. .
The timing of the study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, may have influenced the nature of children’s play and leisure activities. Social distancing and other pandemic-related restrictions have led children to spend more time in solo and indoor activities such as video games and board games. This change may have provided children with opportunities to regulate their emotions through imaginative and symbolic play despite limitations in social interaction.
“This study provides important insight into the complex interplay of trauma, parenting, and child development and highlights the need for a holistic approach to supporting both parents and children in the face of adversity.” ,” said study co-author Dr. Sarah Chiara Hayden. Dissertation and Associate Professor of Psychology at Long Island University.
