L Stoppelbein1, L Greening. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 35487-0348, USA. legreeni@gp.as.ua.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare parentally bereaved children with a disaster comparison group and a nontrauma control group on measures of emotional adjustment. METHOD: Children and adolescents who had lost a parent (n = 39), had experienced a tornado disaster (n = 69), or were coping with an ongoing social or academic stressor (n = 118) completed measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Risk factors for symptoms among the bereaved children also were evaluated. RESULTS: Parentally bereaved children reported significantly more PTSD symptoms than the disaster and nontrauma control groups. Among the bereaved children, girls, younger children, and children living with a surviving parent who scored high on a measure of posttraumatic stress reported more symptoms. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents who have lost a parent could be vulnerable to PTSD symptoms.
OBJECTIVE: To compare parentally bereaved children with a disaster comparison group and a nontrauma control group on measures of emotional adjustment. METHOD:Children and adolescents who had lost a parent (n = 39), had experienced a tornado disaster (n = 69), or were coping with an ongoing social or academic stressor (n = 118) completed measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Risk factors for symptoms among the bereaved children also were evaluated. RESULTS: Parentally bereaved children reported significantly more PTSD symptoms than the disaster and nontrauma control groups. Among the bereaved children, girls, younger children, and children living with a surviving parent who scored high on a measure of posttraumatic stress reported more symptoms. CONCLUSION:Children and adolescents who have lost a parent could be vulnerable to PTSD symptoms.
Authors: Rebecca J Weinberg; Laura J Dietz; Samuel Stoyak; Nadine M Melhem; Giovanna Porta; Monica W Payne; David A Brent Journal: J Clin Psychiatry Date: 2013-08 Impact factor: 4.384