Parents' secondary trauma and protective parenting responses following media reports of child death: A qualitative study
Journal of Pediatric Nursing, cilt.91, ss.463-473, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 91
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.pedn.2026.08.043
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Pediatric Nursing
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.463-473
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Child death, Media exposure, Parents, Phenomenology, Qualitative research, Secondary trauma
- Hakkari Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background Media reports of fatal violent incidents involving children and adolescents may evoke secondary trauma in parents who have not directly experienced such trauma. Purpose This study explored the secondary trauma experiences and protective parenting responses of parents of adolescent children following exposure to media reports of child deaths. Methods This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 15 parents from different regions of Türkiye. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-stage phenomenological analysis method. Results Five main themes were identified: “Secondary Trauma Responses,” “Overprotective and Controlling Parenting Behaviors,” “Protective Parent–Child Communication and Behavioral Guidance,” “Loss of Societal Trust and Institutional Expectations,” and “Coping Strategies.” Parents described fear, anxiety, hypervigilance, and emotional distress after exposure to media reports of fatal violence involving children and adolescents. Media exposure also increased parental control, restrictions on adolescents' activities, and changes in parent–child communication. Conclusions Parents described secondary trauma responses, overprotective parenting behaviors, and loss of societal trust after being exposed to media reports of child deaths. Their coping strategies included avoidance, spirituality, and behavioral approach. Practical implications Pediatric nurses should recognize secondary trauma responses in parents within the context of family centered and trauma-informed care and support adaptive coping and healthy parent–adolescent communication.