Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Expectations of Parenthood and Children's Development

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may increase the risk of adverse parenting‐related outcomes. Research has not determined if PTSD symptoms correspond with more negative expectations of parenthood and unrealistic beliefs regarding children's developmental milestones. Negative and unrealistic preparenthood and developmental expectations are tied to problematic parenting‐related outcomes; thus, these beliefs are important to examine within the context of PTSD. The aim of the current study was to examine whether PTSD is related to negative parenthood expectations as well as more unrealistic perceptions of children's development. Included in the study were 368 trauma‐exposed adults who had yet to become parents (M_age  = 25.92 years, SD  = 7.11; 68.2% female; 63.8% White). Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that probable PTSD was associated with more negative parenting expectations, βs = ?.08–?.16. Alterations in cognitions and mood were associated with more negative perceptions of parenthood, βs = .10–?.31. However, higher levels of intrusion symptoms were related to more positive expectations of parenthood and more realistic development expectations, βs = .17–.25. The data were a satisfactory fit for the model. Thus, PTSD may be relevant in understanding perceptions of parenthood, which may be important to address and ultimately improve parenting outcomes among parents with PTSD.