TY - JOUR
T1 - Topical Review
T2 - Families Coping with Child Trauma: A Naturalistic Observation Methodology
AU - Alisic, Eva
AU - Barrett, Anna
AU - Bowles, Peter
AU - Conroy, Rowena
AU - Mehl, Matthias R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 The Author.
Copyright:
Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2016/1/1
Y1 - 2016/1/1
N2 - Objective To introduce a novel, naturalistic observational methodology (the Electronically Activated Recorder; EAR) as an opportunity to better understand the central role of the family environment in children's recovery from trauma. Methods Discussion of current research methods and a systematic literature review of EAR studies on health and well-being. Results Surveys, experience sampling, and the EAR method each provide different opportunities and challenges for studying family interactions. We identified 17 articles describing relevant EAR studies. These investigated questions of emotional well-being, communicative behaviors, and interpersonal relationships, predominantly in adults. 5 articles reported innovative research in children, triangulating EAR-observed behavioral data (e.g., on child conflict at home) with neuroendocrine assay, sociodemographic information, and parent report. Finally, we discussed psychometric, practical, and ethical considerations for conducting EAR research with children and families. Conclusions Naturalistic observation methods such as the EAR have potential for pediatric psychology studies regarding trauma and the family environment.
AB - Objective To introduce a novel, naturalistic observational methodology (the Electronically Activated Recorder; EAR) as an opportunity to better understand the central role of the family environment in children's recovery from trauma. Methods Discussion of current research methods and a systematic literature review of EAR studies on health and well-being. Results Surveys, experience sampling, and the EAR method each provide different opportunities and challenges for studying family interactions. We identified 17 articles describing relevant EAR studies. These investigated questions of emotional well-being, communicative behaviors, and interpersonal relationships, predominantly in adults. 5 articles reported innovative research in children, triangulating EAR-observed behavioral data (e.g., on child conflict at home) with neuroendocrine assay, sociodemographic information, and parent report. Finally, we discussed psychometric, practical, and ethical considerations for conducting EAR research with children and families. Conclusions Naturalistic observation methods such as the EAR have potential for pediatric psychology studies regarding trauma and the family environment.
KW - accidents and injuries
KW - family functioning
KW - posttraumatic stress
KW - research design and methods
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84987957283&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84987957283&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv016
DO - 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv016
M3 - Article
C2 - 25797943
AN - SCOPUS:84987957283
VL - 41
SP - 117
EP - 127
JO - Journal of Pediatric Psychology
JF - Journal of Pediatric Psychology
SN - 0146-8693
IS - 1
ER -