Parent-child concordance and treatment outcome of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy in a child advocacy center

Abstract

Child maltreatment has been associated with the development of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms. Research suggests that parent-child concordance on ratings of child PTS symptoms after maltreatment may pose clinical implications that can guide treatment. The current study examines parent-child concordance of child PTS symptoms and changes in symptoms from pre- to post-treatment with Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy using archival clinical records of 29 children seen in a Child Advocacy Center. Cohen’s Kappa and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient analyses indicated that child and parent ratings were only concurrent post-treatment. PTS symptoms as rated by parents and children decreased significantly from pre- to post-treatment. Findings highlight the importance of comparing cross-informant ratings and support using evidence-based treatment to reduce PTS symptoms in children.

Keywords:

• Child advocacy center
• cross-informant rating
• parent-child concordance
• post-traumatic stress
• PTSD
• TF-CBT

Acknowledgments

This research is an expanded version of a Thesis presented at Western Carolina University as part of the Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.