Co-creating and testing a bibliotherapy e-storybook for children coping with parental complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

Background

Children living with a parent with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) may struggle to understand and respond to parental behaviours, increasing their risk of distress and mental health difficulties. Despite this, few evidence-informed narrative resources exist to support these children.Method: A free bibliotherapy e-storybook was co-created with over 30 participants from the affected communities and partners, including individuals with lived experience, service providers, clinicians, and an international interdisciplinary research team. Public feedback on a draft version informed further refinement. A cross-sectional online survey of additional community members and partners assessed the e-storybook. Twenty-two additional participants completed closed-ended and six open-ended survey questions.

Results

Findings indicated that the co-creation approach was effective in developing a targeted and relevant resource for children.

Conclusion

The e-storybook was perceived as a useful bibliotherapy tool to support child and family outcomes and to facilitate meaningful conversations about family experiences.