Factors related to post-traumatic stress disorder in parents of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Abstract

Background: This study aims to summarize the existing literature on factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among parents of children with a neurodevelopmental disability. Methods: A systematic search of three databases was conducted using predefined criteria. Studies were screened for eligibility by title/abstract, followed by full-text review. Data was extracted to capture key information including study characteristics, participant demographics, and factors associated with PTSD. A narrative thematic analysis was employed to identify and categorize findings. Heterogeneity across studies precluded a meta-analysis, thus a narrative review was conducted. Results: From a pool of 15,852 studies, six articles published between 2002 and 2023 were included. Among the factors studied, lower levels of social support, increased caregiving demands, and parent’s history of depression were most frequently associated with elevated PTSD scores. Conclusion: This study offers insights into the factors associated with caregiver PTSD, highlighting the need for future research.