Life Course Outcomes among Children in the Shadow of Parental PTSD: Evidence from Danish Population Data

• In Event: Longitudinal Perspectives on Victimization and Trauma

Abstract

Experiences of war and persecution may cause PTSD symptoms in the millions of people around the world who seek refuge. PTSD symptoms, such as mood swings, panic attacks, hypervigilance, concentration problems, and agitation, likely shapes the home environment and parenting style, with the consequence that children in such families may be particularly at risk for adverse outcomes across their life course. Using accurately linked population data on all refugee migrants to Denmark since 1980 and their children who were either born in Denmark or below age 7 at arrival, we track various life course outcomes of children who grew up in the shadow of parental PTSD. We measure PTSD from medical diagnoses and prescription medicine, and we measure life course outcomes in important domains such as education and the criminal legal system.

Authors

• Lars H. Andersen, ROCKWOOL Foundation

• Camilla Hvidtfeldt, ROCKWOOL Foundation