L Suomalainen1, H Haravuori, N Berg, O Kiviruusu, M Marttunen. 1. Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, National Institute for Health and Welfare (MIPO/LAMI), P.O. Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland. laura.suomalainen@hus.fi
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In November 2007, a student shot eight people and himself at Jokela High School, Finland. This study aims to evaluate the long-term effects of exposure to a school shooting among adolescents. METHOD: Associations between psychological outcomes and background factors were analysed and compared with "comparison students" four months after the incident. A questionnaire including Impact of Event Scale (IES) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-36) was used. RESULTS: Half of the females and a third of the males suffered from posttraumatic distress. High level of posttraumatic distress (IES≥35), predicting PTSD, was observed in 27% of the females and 7% of the males. The odds ratio was 6.4 (95% confidence interval 3.5-10.5) for having high levels of posttraumatic distress. Severe or extreme exposure and female gender were found to increase the risk. Forty-two percent of the females and 16% of the males had psychiatric disturbance (GHQ≥9). Severe or extreme exposure, older age and female gender increased the risk. Perceived support from family and friends was found to be protective. CONCLUSIONS: The observed risk and protective factors were similar to earlier studies. Follow-up will be essential in identifying factors predicting persisting trauma-related symptoms in adolescence. Copyright Â
BACKGROUND: In November 2007, a student shot eight people and himself at Jokela High School, Finland. This study aims to evaluate the long-term effects of exposure to a school shooting among adolescents. METHOD: Associations between psychological outcomes and background factors were analysed and compared with "comparison students" four months after the incident. A questionnaire including Impact of Event Scale (IES) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-36) was used. RESULTS: Half of the females and a third of the males suffered from posttraumatic distress. High level of posttraumatic distress (IES≥35), predicting PTSD, was observed in 27% of the females and 7% of the males. The odds ratio was 6.4 (95% confidence interval 3.5-10.5) for having high levels of posttraumatic distress. Severe or extreme exposure and female gender were found to increase the risk. Forty-two percent of the females and 16% of the males had psychiatric disturbance (GHQ≥9). Severe or extreme exposure, older age and female gender increased the risk. Perceived support from family and friends was found to be protective. CONCLUSIONS: The observed risk and protective factors were similar to earlier studies. Follow-up will be essential in identifying factors predicting persisting trauma-related symptoms in adolescence. Copyright Â
Authors: James M Shultz; Siri Thoresen; Brian W Flynn; Glenn W Muschert; Jon A Shaw; Zelde Espinel; Frank G Walter; Joshua B Gaither; Yanira Garcia-Barcena; Kaitlin O'Keefe; Alyssa M Cohen Journal: Curr Psychiatry Rep Date: 2014-09 Impact factor: 5.285
Authors: Rebecca M Cunningham; Patrick M Carter; Megan L Ranney; Maureen Walton; April M Zeoli; Elizabeth R Alpern; Charles Branas; Rinad S Beidas; Peter F Ehrlich; Monika K Goyal; Jason E Goldstick; David Hemenway; Stephen W Hargarten; Cheryl A King; Lynn Massey; Quyen Ngo; Jesenia Pizarro; Lisa Prosser; Ali Rowhani-Rahbar; Fredrick Rivara; Laney A Rupp; Eric Sigel; Jukka Savolainen; Marc A Zimmerman Journal: JAMA Pediatr Date: 2019-08-01 Impact factor: 16.193