Intervention for Parents With a Trauma History and Their Adolescent: Proposed Mechanisms of Change

Abstract

This paper introduces Tuning Relationships with Music (TRM), an intervention for parents with a history of abuse or neglect and their adolescent, where the dyad is experiencing high levels of conflict in their relationship. A range of theoretical and therapeutic influences have shaped the intervention, including biopsychosocial impacts of interpersonal childhood trauma on parents' caregiving, attachment, mentalisation and nonverbal communication within a family systems framework. A theoretical model based on existing research literature is initially proposed that considers how change is thought to occur. TRM principles, structure, and content are outlined. Analyses of outcomes for parent–adolescent dyads who took part in a randomised controlled trial of TRM are discussed with reference to the literature, and then a modification of the theoretical model is presented based on research findings. Implications for assessment and intervention development are then discussed.