Tom Phillips’ children will carry complex trauma – expert care will be crucial

Analysis: Public interest in the wellbeing of Tom Phillips’ children is understandably high. After almost four years in isolation – away from family, social supports, friends and schooling – what will be the impact of their experiences since being abducted? Kirsty Ross explains.

The traumatic circumstances of their father’s death, and the shooting of a police officer, add to concerns about the immediate and long-term needs of the children, particularly for the oldest child who was present.

Many questions remain unanswered about why the search went on so long. But what we do know about children in these situations is that parental abduction, particularly when it involves prolonged isolation from others, has significant consequences. The longer the period of separation, the more damaging the impact is for the child.

The Phillips children were kept isolated during critical periods in their emotional, social, cognitive and physical development. It is crucial they receive ongoing expert help for their recovery to reduce the risk of long-term problems.

Having worked as a senior clinical psychologist in another case where children were abducted, I can attest that healing and repair of relationships is possible, but it will require wraparound, ongoing support.

Research shows children are often severely traumatised, frightened and confused once they are recovered following parental abduction and social isolation. The Phillips children have experienced acute, chronic and complex trauma.

Acute trauma (such as the police officer being shot and their father’s death) may lead to post-traumatic stress symptoms. Our brains often focus on detailed memories of an event, and this can result in people feeling like they are re-experiencing it (through nightmares and flashbacks).

Our brains also become hyper-vigilant for any signs of further danger. As a result, people are on high alert, physically and emotionally, as the body remains ready to fight, take flight or freeze.

This hyper-arousal means people can react strongly, both emotionally and behaviourally, when they misinterpret situations or people as threats. These children will need help to feel safe in the world again, and to process what they have experienced and seen.

The impacts of the longer-term, chronic and complex trauma the children have experienced is less well documented in research, as these situations are thankfully very rare. However, what is known points to substantial emotional and psychological consequences.

An aerial view of one of the campsites where Tom Phillips and his children had been hiding for the last four years.

The Phillips children were kept isolated during critical periods in their development. Dean Purcell/New Zealand Herald via Getty Images

Complex trauma can result in difficulties regulating emotions, along with shame and guilt. It changes how people see themselves, the world and other people.

The Phillips children were controlled by their father in every aspect of their lives. He determined their reality, kept them in conditions we are only just beginning to grasp, and denied them crucial experiences and important people in their lives.

The narrative he told them to maintain control will only become known over time. It likely involved a story about the world and other people that meant the children felt they could only interact with (and trust) him and people he approved.

They were abducted when they were very young, completely dependent on him for everything. This reality was maintained for almost four years, without the children being exposed to any other influences or perspectives.

To understand that the world and others may be different from everything they have been told by their father will be extremely confronting, and will take some time to absorb and understand – and believe.

Their understanding of what is right and wrong, and about relationships, will also have been shaped by what their father told them and role-modelled.

While the children may have learned many practical skills, they will likely be significantly behind in school subjects, having been denied formal education.

When brains are focused on physical survival, learning can also be affected. The unstable lifestyle the children experienced as they moved around may make it difficult for them to settle into school and make friends.

They may find it difficult to relate to other children their age, as they have missed out on crucial social experiences and skills. This can lead to anxiety and low mood.

While the children had each other to interact with, it is unclear how the family was structured during the past four years, and the roles they were required to undertake. Their identities will have been shaped by what their father told them about who they are.

Distress (particularly sadness, anger, fear and confusion) would be very understandable as the children start to reenter society. It is possible there may also be relief and joy at reconnecting with the community and people they were kept isolated from.

But relief and joy may also bring feelings of shame and worry about being disloyal to the person who dictated their existence for almost four years, so even these emotions may be complex.

There will also be grief at the loss of their father, who was the centre of their world for the past four years. Given their ages when abducted, the younger children may struggle to remember their relationship with their mother, complicating any reunion.

Research suggests older children may initially feel angry at the other parent for not rescuing them, alongside (emerging) distress about the parent who abducted them.

The children remain at risk for various problems across emotional, psychological, physical, cognitive and social domains. These could persist into late adolescence and young adulthood if not addressed.

Long-term effects are particularly pronounced in cases where children were hidden, had no contact with the other parent or other social connections, and were abducted for longer periods – such as the Phillips children.

Patience, privacy, compassion and a total focus on their needs is what the children require now, for a long time to come. As a community, we must keep their needs at the forefront of any conversations about this tragic situation.

Author: Kirsty Ross, Professor of Clinical Psychology, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa at Massey University.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence.