A Laboratory-Based Investigation of Links between Maternal Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Adolescent Offspring Anxiety

SYNOPSIS Objective. Maternal symptoms of posttraumatic stress are linked to problematic offspring outcomes, including internalizing problems, general behavioral problems, and altered psychobiological functioning. Maternal posttraumatic stress symptoms among trauma-exposed mothers as they relate to offspring functioning has not been evaluated, and laboratory-based affect elicitation procedures have not been used in this context. Design. Self-report of trauma-relevant symptoms in 40 mothers and their adolescents' self-report indices of adolescent anxiety symptoms were obtained. Adolescents were also administered a laboratory-based induction of socially relevant anxious arousal, and maternal and adolescent anxiety in response to the task were recorded. Results. Maternal posttraumatic avoidance symptoms were associated with questionnaire- and laboratory-based indicators of adolescent anxiety. Conclusions. Maternal posttraumatic avoidance symptoms are associated with offspring anxiety; therefore, providers working with mothers with posttraumatic avoidance should consider screening adolescent offspring for anxiety symptoms.