Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common consequence of interpersonal violence (IPV). Maternal IPV-related PTSD has been shown to interfere with the mothers’ ability to join with their children in mutual emotion regulation, a pre-requisite for the development of self-regulation. Studies have shown that parental reflective functioning (PRF; i.e., the attribution of mental states that may be inferred to motivate interactive behavior) and maternal sensitivity (MS) are protective factors. Both PRF and MS are associated with secure child-parent attachment. The stronger these factors are at baseline, the more they improve the chances of a mother with IPV-PTSD seeking help in order to benefit quickly from both physical and mental health assessment and intervention. Pediatricians should routinely assess the history of IPV in the family environment taking into account the parent-child relationship, through observing parent-child interaction and listening to how the parent talks about her child and other important attachment relationships. Health professionals can learn to support and model PRF with traumatized parents.
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