A Family Systems Perspective to Recovery From Posttraumatic Stress in Children

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents a number of symptoms and adjustment issues for individual children and adolescents, but it is also associated with a myriad of risks for the larger family system. An examination of PTSD from a systemic perspective is crucial to comprehending the development and maintenance of PTSD. For example, a close relationship with a supportive adult enables a child to separate from a traumatic event and successfully persevere in the future. This article reviews the need for a systemic family perspective, including a narrative therapy approach, when considering the development, maintenance, prevention, and resolution of PTSD in children and adolescents.