Posttraumatic Stress Responses in Bereaved Children After the Oklahoma City Bombing

Pfefferbaum, Betty; Nixon, Sara Jo; Tucker, Phebe; Tivis, Rick; Moore, Vern L.; Gurwitch, Robin H.; Pynoos, Robert S.; Geis, Heather K.

doi:10.1097/00004583-199911000-00011

Cited by 178 publications

(120 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Despite the extraordinary and unprecedented experience of 1 million residents being asked to remain indoors, findings suggest many of the specific manhuntrelated correlates of outcomes were largely similar to experiences commonly found to be correlates of traumatic stress and related reactions (eg, witnessing death/injury, knowing someone who was killed). 6,15 However, 1 manhunt-related experience (having an officer enter/search the home) accounted for ∼4% of unique variance in children' s posttraumatic stress and represents a more unique and somewhat idiosyncratic experience specific to the marathon attack aftermath.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, there have been several high-profile terrorist attacks specifically targeting civilian child and family venues (eg, Russia' s Beslan school hostage crisis, Norway' s Workers' Youth League camp attack, Nairobi' s Westgate Mall attack). Although research has documented the psychological toll of terrorism on youth, [1][2][3][4] the majority of such work has focused on attacks targeting office buildings of high symbolic value, 3,[5][6][7] where the presence of families has been incidental. Much remains to be learned about the reactions of children affected by terrorism specifically aimed at "soft targets" such as family events.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, the majority of research on terrorism-exposed youth has examined large-scale attacks with mass casualties (eg, 9/11). 2,3,[5][6][7] Minimal research has examined children' s reactions to high-profile terrorism with relatively few fatalities.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Adjustment Among Area Youth After the Boston Marathon Bombing and Subsequent Manhunt

et al. 2014

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WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Research in the aftermath of large-scale terrorist attacks shows that exposed children experience numerous negative psychological sequelae, including increased emotional difficulties, posttraumatic stress, and significant attack-related life disruptions. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:Most research on terrorism-exposed youth examines large-scale terrorism. Limited work examines reactions to terrorism of the scope of the marathon attack, and the extraordinary manhunt and shelter-in-place warning was an unprecedented experience. Understanding adjustment after these events is critical.abstract BACKGROUND: The majority of research on terrorism-exposed youth has examined large-scale terrorism with mass casualties. Limited research has examined children' s reactions to terrorism of the scope of the Boston Marathon bombing. Furthermore, the extraordinary postattack interagency manhunt and shelter-in-place warning made for a truly unprecedented experience in its own right for families. Understanding the psychological adjustment of Boston-area youth in the aftermath of these events is critical for informing clinical efforts. METHODS: Survey of Boston-area parents/caretakers (N = 460) reporting on their child's experiences during the attack week, as well as psychosocial functioning in the first 6 attack months. RESULTS: There was heterogeneity across youth in attack-and manhuntrelated experiences and clinical outcomes. The proportion of youth with likely attack/manhunt-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was roughly 6 times higher among Boston Marathon-attending youth than nonattending youth. Attack and manhunt experiences each uniquely predicted 9% of PTSD symptom variance, with manhunt exposures more robustly associated than attack-related exposures with a range of psychosocial outcomes, including emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer problems. One-fifth of youth watched .3 hours of televised coverage on the attack day, which was linked to PTSD symptoms, conduct problems, and total difficulties. Prosocial behavior and positive peer functioning buffered the impact of exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical efforts must maintain a broadened focus beyond simply youth present at the blasts and must also include youth highly exposed to the intense interagency pursuit and manhunt. Continued research is needed to understand the adjustment of youth after mass traumas and large-scale manhunts in residential communities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

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Adjustment Among Area Youth After the Boston Marathon Bombing and Subsequent Manhunt

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“…In the Manhattan area, 22% of children from the community-at-large received some form of counseling after the attacks, which was a much greater rate of counseling than seen with similar tragedies such as the Oklahoma City bombing. 13,17 However, most of this counseling was received in schools. In the Washington area, the total number of children's visits to behavioral health clinics at military treatment facilities did not increase; however, there was a significant increase in the percentage of visits for anxiety disorders and acute stress reactions.…”

Section: Effects On Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have implicated indirect television exposure to disaster as a risk factor for children's reactivity. 8,17,[27][28][29] The amount of information that a child will find valuable in understanding a disaster largely depends on a child's developmental stage. 8 Parents and caregivers should be aware that gruesome and disturbing details are likely unnecessary in facilitating a child's comprehension of a tragedy.…”

Section: Other Risk Factors For Adverse Reactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial Implications of Disaster or Terrorism on Children: A Guide for the Pediatrician

Hagan¹

2005

Pediatrics

108

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ABSTRACT. During and after disasters, pediatricians can assist parents and community leaders not only by accommodating the unique needs of children but also by being cognizant of the psychological responses of children to reduce the possibility of long-term psychological morbidity. The effects of disaster on children are mediated by many factors including personal experience, parental reaction, developmental competency, gender, and the stage of disaster response. Pediatricians can be effective advocates for the child and family and at the community level and can affect national policy in support of families. In this report, specific children's responses are delineated, risk factors for adverse reactions are discussed, and advice is given for pediatricians to ameliorate the effects of disaster on children. Pediatrics 2005; 116:787-795; terrorism, disaster preparedness, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety.

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Reactions of Young Adults to September 11, 2001

Ford¹,

Udry²,

Gleiter³

et al. 2003

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med

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Posttraumatic Stress Responses in Bereaved Children After the Oklahoma City Bombing

Cited by 178 publications

References 21 publications

Adjustment Among Area Youth After the Boston Marathon Bombing and Subsequent Manhunt

Adjustment Among Area Youth After the Boston Marathon Bombing and Subsequent Manhunt

Psychosocial Implications of Disaster or Terrorism on Children: A Guide for the Pediatrician

Reactions of Young Adults to September 11, 2001

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