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. 2021 Nov 11;8(11):1038.
doi: 10.3390/children8111038.

Trauma-Focused Tuning in to Kids: Evaluation in a Clinical Service

Sophie S Havighurst  1 , Jessica L Murphy  2 , Christiane E Kehoe  1
Affiliations

Trauma-Focused Tuning in to Kids: Evaluation in a Clinical Service

Sophie S Havighurst et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

This study evaluated the Tuning in to Kids (TIK) parenting program delivered in a clinical setting with 77 parents and caregivers (hereafter referred to as "parents") of children who had experienced complex trauma. The TIK program targets parent emotion socialization to improve children's emotional and behavioral functioning. The study utilized a single-group design with pre- and post-intervention measures. Seventy-seven parents of children (aged 3-15 years) who had experienced complex trauma completed a ten-week version of the Trauma-Focused Tuning in to Kids program (TF-TIK). Measures examined parent reports of: emotion socialization; parent-child relationship; parent mental health; children's emotional and behavioral functioning. Parents reported significantly improved emotion socialization, parent-child relationship, parent mental health, as well as child emotion regulation and behavior. This study provides initial support for the use of the TF-TIK parenting program in a clinical setting with parents of children who have experienced complex trauma in order to prevent or reduce problems.

Keywords: Tuning in to Kids; behavioral difficulties; complex trauma; emotion coaching; emotion socialization; parent-child relationship.

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Conflict of interest statement

Program authors Havighurst and Kehoe wish to declare a conflict of interest in that they may benefit from positive reports of this program. Proceeds from dissemination of the program provide funding for development and research with the program. Program authors and the University of Melbourne receive royalties from proceeds of manual sales. Murphy declares no conflict of interest.

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