Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
203,203 studies31 sourcesUpdated 23 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma

Caregivers’ Experiences of Family-Based Trauma-Informed Interventions for Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

  • Ellie Shepherd1
  • Jack Purrington2
  • Buket Kara1
  1. 1Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
  2. 2Chrysalis Associates, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Children prenatally exposed to alcohol often face a multitude of difficulties such as mental health difficulties and behavioural and cognitive challenges. A high percentage of children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) have also experienced traumatic life events. Research suggests that interventions can help reduce the difficulties faced after trauma, particularly when involving the caregiver and child. Due to the cognitive difficulties often experienced by children with PAE, it is unclear whether typical trauma-informed interventions can be effectively used with this population. This study aimed to explore the experiences of caregivers whose children with PAE participated in a family-based, trauma-informed intervention. Eleven caregivers (10 adoptive, one foster) were recruited via therapeutic services in the UK and an established FASD mailing list. Caregivers were caring for a total of 12 children with PAE aged 8 to 18. A variety of interventions were received, including Theraplay, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, therapeutic parenting sessions and sensory therapies. These were accessed for varying lengths of times and in different combinations. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to explore semi-structured interview data, with particular focus on perceived benefits and challenges, children’s ability to engage in therapy, potential outcomes and factors influencing change. This generated five interrelated themes: (1) Enduring the therapeutic journey to survive, (2) Engagement as fluid and negotiable, (3) The therapeutic relationship is the active ingredient, (4) “There’s no magic button”: supported caregivers are the agents of change, (5) Redefining success. Family-based therapy was positioned as a relational, effortful, and ongoing process that supports families to live with enduring complexity. Therapeutic change was primarily located within caregivers’ development of understanding, responsiveness and ability to adapt the caregiving environment, as opposed to within the child. Engagement emerged as negotiated and developmentally contingent, with the therapeutic relationship as a central component. Therapy was shaped by the perceived permanence of PAE and trauma and by wider systemic constraints. The findings support family-based, flexible therapeutic approaches for children with PAE and trauma that prioritise relational safety and caregiver understanding. Early sensory and play-based interventions, integration of therapeutic models, and caregiver-only sessions may enhance effectiveness.

Related

  1. Experiences of social participation and inclusion among primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in China: a qualitative descriptive study.
    Hui Liu, Xiaojia Wu, Fang Wen +2
    BMC nursingPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDFull textPsychiatry & mental healthEurope PMC
  2. Psychoeducational interventions for children and adolescents with potentially traumatic experiences: a systematic review Intervenciones psicoeducactivas para niños y adolescentes con experiencias potencialmente traumáticas: una revisión sistemática
    Alison Crivelli, Katharina Beck, Süheyla Seker +2
    European journal of psychotraumatologyPeer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textPsychiatry & mental healthEurope PMC
  3. Caregivers’ experiences of PM2.5 prevention for preschool children in Thailand: a qualitative study with focus group interviews
    Kesinee Imman, Jutamas Ponmark, Surachai Wongcharee +1
    Child Health Nursing ResearchPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Full textPharmacology & toxicologyPMC
  4. Experiences of family caregivers regarding the health of children with congenital craniofacial anomalies in Colombia
    María Mercedes Lafaurie, Lina María Vargas-Escobar, María Clara González +1
    PLOS Global Public HealthPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textDevelopmental biologyEpidemiology & public healthPLOS
  5. Effectiveness of psychosocial and therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents with adverse childhood experiences: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
    Meless G. Bore, Julaine Allan, Setognal B. Aychiluhm +4
    JCPP AdvancesPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textPsychiatry & mental healthPMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{shepherd2026caregivers,
  title = {{Caregivers’ Experiences of Family-Based Trauma-Informed Interventions for Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure}},
  author = {Ellie Shepherd and Jack Purrington and Buket Kara},
  journal = {Journal of Child \& Adolescent Trauma},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1007/s40653-026-00963-7},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-026-00963-7},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Caregivers’ Experiences of Family-Based Trauma-Informed Interventions for Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
AU  - Ellie Shepherd
AU  - Jack Purrington
AU  - Buket Kara
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/14
JO  - Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
DO  - 10.1007/s40653-026-00963-7
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-026-00963-7
AB  - Children prenatally exposed to alcohol often face a multitude of difficulties such as mental health difficulties and behavioural and cognitive challenges. A high percentage of children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) have also experienced traumatic life events. Research suggests that interventions can help reduce the difficulties faced after trauma, particularly when involving the caregiver and child. Due to the cognitive difficulties often experienced by children with PAE, it is unclear whether typical trauma-informed interventions can be effectively used with this population. This study aimed to explore the experiences of caregivers whose children with PAE participated in a family-based, trauma-informed intervention. Eleven caregivers (10 adoptive, one foster) were recruited via therapeutic services in the UK and an established FASD mailing list. Caregivers were caring for a total of 12 children with PAE aged 8 to 18. A variety of interventions were received, including Theraplay, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, therapeutic parenting sessions and sensory therapies. These were accessed for varying lengths of times and in different combinations. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to explore semi-structured interview data, with particular focus on perceived benefits and challenges, children’s ability to engage in therapy, potential outcomes and factors influencing change. This generated five interrelated themes: (1) Enduring the therapeutic journey to survive, (2) Engagement as fluid and negotiable, (3) The therapeutic relationship is the active ingredient, (4) “There’s no magic button”: supported caregivers are the agents of change, (5) Redefining success. Family-based therapy was positioned as a relational, effortful, and ongoing process that supports families to live with enduring complexity. Therapeutic change was primarily located within caregivers’ development of understanding, responsiveness and ability to adapt the caregiving environment, as opposed to within the child. Engagement emerged as negotiated and developmentally contingent, with the therapeutic relationship as a central component. Therapy was shaped by the perceived permanence of PAE and trauma and by wider systemic constraints. The findings support family-based, flexible therapeutic approaches for children with PAE and trauma that prioritise relational safety and caregiver understanding. Early sensory and play-based interventions, integration of therapeutic models, and caregiver-only sessions may enhance effectiveness.
SN  - 1936-1521
SN  - 1936-153X
ER  -