European Journal of Psychotraumatology最新文献

{"title":"Family dynamics after sibling loss in a migration context: the experiences of Ethiopian bereaved siblings.","authors":"Eden Etsegenet Kassa, Wisam Maree, Jonathan Guez, Rivi Frei-Landau","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2683322","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2683322","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Sibling bereavement profoundly affects family systems, yet little is known about bereaved siblings from immigrant communities where family structures have been destabilised by migration prior to the loss. The Ethiopian-Israeli community constitutes a distinct minority group of immigrants in Israel, characterised by unique cultural heritage and by skin colour that distinguishes its members from the general population. This visible difference subjects the community to racism and discrimination in ways that parallel the experiences of Black communities worldwide.<b>Objective:</b> This study's goal was to examine the experiences of family dynamics following sibling loss among bereaved siblings from the Ethiopian-Israeli community, that is considered a minority group parallel to Black communities, who face racism and discrimination based on their skin colour.<b>Method:</b> Using qualitative methodology, in-depth interviews with 17 bereaved siblings (ages 21-43), who reflected on their grief experiences, were analyzed using the narrative analysis model.‏<b>Results:</b> Analysis revealed four interconnected themes: children's roles as cultural mediators within the Ethiopian community prior to the loss; post-loss sibling relationship dynamics; sibling loss as loss of parental function; and parents' transformation alongside bereaved siblings' caregiving burden.<b>Conclusions:</b> The findings are discussed in light of Doka's concept of disenfranchised grief. Bereaved siblings from immigrant communities experience disenfranchised grief shaped by sibling status, immigrant identity, and pre-existing family disruptions. Culturally adapted interventions are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"17 1","pages":"2683322"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13348109/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148396540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the effectiveness of EMDR therapy for children and adolescents in Ukraine during war.","authors":"Renée Beer, Maike Garbade, Anna Keßler, Anna Rita Verardo, Peter Niederhuber, Olga Uralova, Cedric Sachser, Elisa Pfeiffer","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2713259","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2713259","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> In Ukraine, an entire generation of children is directly or indirectly affected by chronic exposure to potentially traumatic events due to the ongoing war, and many children may develop trauma-related disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was implemented for therapists treating children and adolescents in Ukraine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of this evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents living amid ongoing war.<b>Objective</b>: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR therapy for children and adolescents living under ongoing war conditions in Ukraine.<b>Methods:</b> EMDR for Children and Adolescents (C&A) is implemented in Ukraine by EMDR C&A trainers from three European countries (the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy), who trained Ukrainian therapists. Outcome data from <i>N</i> = 151 children and adolescents (62.9% female, <i>M</i> = 10.87 years; <i>SD</i> = 4.34, range 1-17) treated by <i>n</i> = 32 therapists have been analysed. Children and parents completed the CATS-2 to measure self - and caregiver-reported symptoms of PTSD before and after treatment. The data collection period occurred from June 2023 to January 2025.<b>Results:</b> At the end of treatment, the patients reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, with large pre-post effect sizes for DSM-5 PTSD (<i>d</i> _self-report = 1.83; <i>d</i> _{caregiver report} = 1.93), ICD-11 PTSD (<i>d</i> _self-report = 1.62; <i>d</i> _{caregiver report} = 1.57), ICD-11 CPTSD (<i>d</i> _self-report = 1.63; <i>d</i> _{caregiver report} = 1.74), and DSM-5 pre-school PTSD (<i>d</i> = 1.72).<b>Conclusion:</b> Despite the methodological limitations of this study, the results suggest that EMDR can be delivered effectively to children and adolescents in regions impacted by ongoing war. Future studies should replicate these findings and evaluate the effects of EMDR during war conditions using a randomised controlled design.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"17 1","pages":"2713259"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13508534/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148808320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prolonged grief among Turkish migrants in Germany: prevalence and the role of migratory grief.","authors":"Viktoria Schmidt, Katja Linde, Anna Renner, Pia Marie Siegel, Anette Kersting","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2627054","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2627054","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>ABSTRACT</b><b>Background:</b> Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is associated with negative health outcomes and appears to be more prevalent among migrants. For migrants, bereavement also includes losses tied to their country of origin, leading to migratory grief. However, the association between migratory grief and prolonged grief has remained unexplored.<b>Objective:</b> This study investigates PGD prevalence, and its grief- and migration-related correlates among first- and second-generation Turkish migrants in Germany.<b>Method:</b> Adults (≥18) with Turkish migration background (self or parental) were included (<i>N</i> = 937). Regression analyses and comparative tests (<i>t</i>-tests, <i>χ</i>² test, Fisher's exact) were performed.<b>Results:</b> PGD prevalence was 5.97% in the first and 5.45% in the second generation. In the first generation, prolonged grief symptoms were associated with >5 losses (<i>β</i> = .201, <i>p</i> = .006), migratory grief (<i>β</i> = .300, <i>p</i> = .003) and different times since loss (<i>p</i> < .005). In the second generation, correlates included migratory grief (<i>β</i> = .197, <i>p</i> = .003) and being in the same country as the deceased (<i>β</i> = .225, <i>p</i> = .003). First and second generation differed in gender (<i>p</i> = .003), time since death (<i>p</i> = .003), country in the event of death (<i>p</i> = .003), residence status (<i>p</i> = .003), social support (<i>p</i> = .008) and chosen language of questionnaires (<i>p</i> = .003).<b>Conclusion:</b> Turkish migrants in Germany show elevated PGD prevalence, with distinct correlates across generations. Migratory grief was a significant correlate for prolonged grief symptoms in both generations, while other factors differed between generations. These findings emphasize the importance of accounting for migration-related experiences in the investigation of PGD across generations in future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"17 1","pages":"2627054"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12922410/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146226145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occupational trauma and probable PTSD among sworn and civilian police employees.","authors":"Bjørn Lau, Brita Bjørkelo, Knut Inge Fostervold","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2726597","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2726597","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Police personnel are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs), increasing their risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While much research has focused on sworn police officers (SPOs), less is known about civilian employees (Civilians) who work alongside them. This study examined trauma exposure and probable PTSD in both groups within the Norwegian Police Service (NPS).<b>Methods:</b> A random sample of 4,000 employees received an invitation to a web-based survey in 2021, of which 560 responded (61.8% SPOs, 38.2% Civilians). Trauma exposure was assessed with the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5), and probable PTSD was measured with the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Logistic regression analyses examined group differences in trauma exposure and PTSD prevalence, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates.<b>Results:</b> SPOs reported significantly greater overall lifetime trauma exposure than Civilians (87.3% vs. 69.2%) and substantially higher occupational trauma exposure (72.0% vs. 21.5%). Probable PTSD was 5.6% among civilians and 2.6% among sworn officers; the crude group difference was not statistically significant (OR = 0.45, 95% CI [0.19, 1.09]). However, after adjusting for different trauma exposure indicators, the association reversed and became statistically significant (adjusted ORs = 0.12-0.16), consistent with a suppressor effect whereby the higher exposure among sworn officers masked their relatively lower risk of PTSD.<b>Discussion:</b> This is the first study to directly compare trauma exposure and probable PTSD among SPOs and Civilians in the NPS. While SPOs reported markedly higher trauma exposure, Civilians also faced substantial risks despite lower levels of direct occupational trauma. PTSD prevalence in both groups was lower than commonly reported in international police samples and broadly comparable to estimates from the Norwegian general population. Nevertheless, the high levels of trauma exposure underline that posttraumatic symptoms remain an important occupational health concern.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"17 1","pages":"2726597"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13577298/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148967316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Supporting sexual assault disclosure: a qualitative study of women's experiences and preferences in gynaecological and midwifery care in the Netherlands.","authors":"Nienke S W M Bosma, Hannah W de Klerk, Iva A E Bicanic, Lisa Zuidema, Jaklien Leemans, Jacques W M Maas, Marieke Dewitte, Fleur Aben, Marlies Y Bongers, Peggy M A J Geomini, Janneke van 't Hooft","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2719211","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2719211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Sexual assault (SA) can have serious consequences for physical, mental, social, and reproductive health. Worldwide, about one in three women report experiencing physical SA. Despite this high prevalence, previous research shows only a minority of healthcare providers (HCPs) consistently inquire about SA during initial consultations.<b>Objective:</b> This study aims to establish how gynaecologists and midwives can best address SA by exploring women's preferences with disclosing their experience of SA.<b>Method:</b> An explorative qualitative research design was used with a web-based questionnaire among women who disclosed their SA to a gynaecologist or midwife. The questionnaire was distributed via the Dutch Sexual Assault Center, social media channels and outpatient clinics. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted.<b>Results:</b> Based on 147 responses, we generated three themes: (1) women need empathy and understanding of trauma response in HCPs. This entailed a non-emotional stance, authenticity, validation after disclosure and sufficient time for a conversation. (2) Women need HCPs to take the lead in addressing SA. This entailed inquiring about SA proactively, informing women about possible connection between SA and symptoms, addressing needs and options, and proving follow-up care. (3) Women need control over the narrative and care pathway. This entailed control over the level of detail women wish to share, the terminology used, medical records, and who is present during consultations.<b>Conclusions:</b> The results can be used to inform education and trauma-informed guidelines on how gynaecologists and midwives can best support SA disclosures. This way, negative responses and re-traumatisation can be avoided and the ongoing recovery process of SA survivors can be supported in gynaecological and midwifery care.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"17 1","pages":"2719211"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13577273/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148967430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting longitudinal post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms using psychological measures and heart rate variability: a machine-learning approach.","authors":"Mariana Xavier, Izabela Mocaiber, Orlando Fernandes, Liana Catarina Lima Portugal, Arthur Viana Machado, Eliane Volchan, William Berger, Débora Christina Muchaluat-Saade, Isabel Antunes David, Raquel Menezes Gonçalves, Camila Monteiro Fabricio Gama, Rita De Cássia Soares Alves, Letícia Oliveira, Mirtes Garcia Pereira","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2715185","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2715185","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a multifactorial condition shaped by numerous biopsychosocial risk and protective factors. Machine learning methods provide powerful tools to model these complex and interacting influences on symptom expression, although many existing approaches rely on data that are impractical for large-scale application.<b>Objective:</b> In this study, we combined accessible psychometric measures with heart rate variability (HRV) to model vulnerability and resilience factors associated with PTSD symptoms in trauma-exposed individuals from a nonclinical sample. Importantly, a longitudinal follow-up complemented the cross-sectional design, allowing us to examine whether early psychological and physiological markers predict subsequent PTSD symptoms.<b>Method:</b> Regression models were implemented using a sparse multiple kernel learning (MKL) approach, allowing an estimation of the relative contribution of predictors both at the construct level (e.g. psychometric and HRV measures) and at the individual item level. The sample comprised 176 undergraduate students who completed psychometric scales assessing tonic immobility, optimism, positive and negative affect, coping strategies, and childhood maltreatment. HRV during exposure to negative stimuli was included as an autonomic predictor. PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5) was assessed cross-sectionally (T1) and after 18 months (T2).<b>Results:</b> MKL successfully predicted PTSD symptom severity at both time points. Across cross-sectional and longitudinal models, negative affect was identified consistently as the most influential predictor at T1 and T2. Additional relevant predictors included tonic immobility, childhood maltreatment, and coping strategies.<b>Conclusions:</b> These findings emphasise the potential of combining easily measurable predictors to enhance the early detection of PTSD risk and to guide the development of more personalised prevention and intervention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"17 1","pages":"2715185"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13552285/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond crisis: rethinking the evaluation of psychosocial interventions after mass casualty incidents.","authors":"Caroline Rometsch","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2677418","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2677418","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Mass casualty incidents lead to significant psychological distress and mental health complaints. In recent years, psychosocial and psychotherapeutic health care offers have increasingly been integrated into mass casualty protocols, yet it has become clear that emergency systems lack structured evaluation mechanisms, and research on exemplary healthcare models remains limited. This commentary discusses gaps in health service utilisation evaluation and assessment after mass casualty incidents.<b>Methods:</b> This commentary provides a narrative overview of conceptual and methodological evaluation challenges, informed by current evidence and clinical experience.<b>Results:</b> Findings from post-disaster contexts demonstrate the necessity of embedding psychosocial and psychotherapeutic health care offers within mass casualty incident structures to address both immediate and long-term mental health needs. Methodologically, validated symptom instruments per se are established (e.g. IES-R, K6 for post-traumatic stress disorders), however, a key barrier is the absence of validated, context-specific instruments specifically designed to capture healthcare utilisation evaluations (e.g. care pathways, perceived quality, helpfulness of psychosocial interventions, trust in care structures, continuity across acute and long-term post-disaster support systems).<b>Conclusion:</b> For the first time, this commentary outlines time-dependent indicators as a proposed framework that should guide assessment after mass casualty incidents. Future research should take a systematic approach into consideration to evaluate evidence of longitudinal studies, thereby supporting the establishment of scalable, theory-based models of psychosocial and psychotherapeutic care for post-disaster contexts. In addition, centralised post-crisis registries are needed to allow systematic registration, monitoring, and evaluation of psychosocial interventions and pathways to care.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"17 1","pages":"2677418"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13270874/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148257844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Post-trauma mental health in children and adolescents: phenomenology, aetiology and treatment.","authors":"Sarah L Halligan, Richard Meiser-Stedman","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2703322","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2026.2703322","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With global challenges including major international conflicts and increasing climate-linked disasters, children and young people remain vulnerable to experiencing traumatic events that have the potential to disrupt lifelong health and wellbeing. Understanding the presentation, causal underpinnings and interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-linked disorders in this group remains of critical importance. Despite this, research on child and adolescent PTSD has historically lagged behind that of adult populations. To address critical gaps in knowledge, this special issue sought to advance understanding in this area, with particular emphasis on evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where trauma-related risk factors are often elevated yet evidence is more limited. The resultant collection brings together 23 papers published in EJPT between 2024 and 2025, focused on child and youth trauma-related mental health, particularly PTSD. We included 19 original articles, three reviews and a letter to the editor, comprising direct submissions to the special issue and other relevant articles submitted to the journal during the special issue window. Accepted articles examined: the measurement and phenomenology of trauma-related mental health, mechanistic underpinnings, and approaches to intervention. Overall, these articles highlight the depth and breadth of research on child and youth PTSD and other trauma-related disorders, as well the continuing need for sustained attention to the populations most at risk of this disorder globally. Key recommendations for future research in this area are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"17 1","pages":"2703322"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13488505/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148790117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Daily-life associations between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, affect, and posttrauma cognitions in the context of the processing of positive memories.","authors":"Madeline M Rodenbaugh, Siyuan Wang, Brett A Messman, Talya Greene, Justina Pociūnaitė-Ott, Ateka A Contractor","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2703327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2026.2703327","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by daily fluctuations in cognitive and affective processes. Little is known about how these processes relate to PTSD severity before and after individuals engage in a therapeutic intervention.<b>Objective:</b> This study used a daily diary design to examine same-day and next-day associations of affect and posttrauma cognitions with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) during a novel PTSD intervention focused on processing positive memories.<b>Methods:</b> Participants were 70 trauma-exposed adults who completed four sessions of the Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT). Participants completed 21 daily surveys pre - and post- PPMT on PTSS, positive and negative affect, and posttrauma cognitions. Multilevel models and multilevel interrupted time series analyses were used to examine same-day and next-day associations between study variables and changes over time.<b>Results:</b> Multilevel models showed that more negative affect, less positive affect, and more posttrauma cognitions were associated with higher same-day PTSS <i>(p</i>s < .001)<i>.</i> In contrast, daily fluctuations in negative affect, positive affect, and posttrauma cognitions did not predict next-day PTSS after accounting for prior-day PTSS. Multilevel interrupted time series models revealed that the same-day association between negative affect and PTSS weakened over time following PPMT (<i>p</i> = .035).<b>Conclusion:</b> Findings emphasize the importance of daily affective and cognitive processes in shaping short-term PTSS trajectories and suggest that PPMT may have its most enduring effects on the association between negative affect processes and PTSS.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"17 1","pages":"2703327"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13495036/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148790110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"'Family in shambles': professional perspectives on supporting families after sibling sexual abuse.","authors":"Sheila R van Berkel, Charlie Daw, Iva A E Bicanic, Anja van der Voort","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2709176","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2026.2709176","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Sibling sexual abuse (SSA) creates particular challenges for practitioners working with affected families, as it damages multiple family relationships, generates loyalty conflicts among parents and children, and produces ambiguity around responsibility. These challenges may necessitate a specific treatment for the impact of SSA. However, information on how to approach the challenges during treatment is scarce.<b>Objective:</b> This study qualitatively investigated, from a practitioner's perspective, helpful elements for tailoring the treatment of families that had been exposed to SSA.<b>Participants and setting:</b> Twelve practitioners from different treatment centres in the Netherlands with experience in the treatment of families exposed to SSA.<b>Methods:</b> Online one-on-one interviews were conducted and thematic analysis was used to identify central themes.<b>Results:</b> Four themes were generated: (1) family crisis; (2) guilt, shame, and secrecy; (3) balancing act; and (4) restoration of family relationships. Practitioners highlighted the importance of tailoring treatment to the specific dynamics related to the SSA. Families starting treatment after the disclosure of SSA are often in 'shambles', as the situation affects the relationships between all family members. Restoration of family relationships was described as both the most challenging and the most essential aspect of treatment, with parents having a central role in this recovery process. Professionals needed to assist them with offering appropriate support for all their children and re-establishing trust and safety within the family.<b>Conclusions:</b> The findings offer initial practical considerations and recommendations for the treatment of families that have experienced SSA, thereby providing a first step towards developing a practical framework for applying systemic therapy to families that have experienced SSA.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"17 1","pages":"2709176"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543833/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148886603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}