'Effectively Intervening in Traumatized Parents and Children After Structural Domestic Violence: A Multiple Baseline Analysis'
The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an individualized treatment trajectory in which the order of trauma therapy for the parent (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy), trauma therapy for the child (EMDR therapy) and attachment-based therapy (Dutch short-term intervention for atypical parenting behavior (NIKA)) is tailored towards the complex needs of victimized parents and their young children (4-6 y/o) after domestic violence. The treatment trajectory is based on a guidance document that supports therapists to determine the optimal order of interventions based on a standardized set of factors. The primary goals of this study are: 1. To examine how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-symptoms of parent and child and parental sensitive and disruptive parenting behavior develop and interact over time, while they follow the individualized treatment trajectory. 2. To test whether the start of the treatment trajectory (e.g. the phase in which parents can receive NIKA and EMDR therapy and their child can receive EMDR therapy) leads to a decrease in disruptive parenting behavior towards the child, an increase in sensitive parenting behavior towards the child, and a decrease in PTSD symptoms of the parent in comparison to the baseline phase. 3. To test whether the start of the treatment trajectory (e.g. the phase in which children can receive EMDR therapy and their parent can receive NIKA and EMDR therapy) leads to a decrease in PTSD symptoms of the child in comparison to the baseline phase.
• The non-offending parent and child are residing in a community shelter because of a combination of problems that includes severe domestic violence
• The child is aged between 4-6 years old (if there is more than 1 child in this age range in the family, the parent will be asked to report on the symptoms of both children, and the child with the most severe PTSD symptoms will participate)
• The parent experiences clinically important PTSD-symptoms, as defined by a PCL-score of ≥31
• The child experiences PTSD-symptoms on a clinical level, as defined by a CATS-score of ≥15