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Children's symptoms of posttraumatic stress and depression after a natural disaster: comorbidity and risk factors
- Source :
- Journal of affective disorders. 146(1)
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Background The current study examined rates of comorbidity among children's symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS) and depression after a natural disaster, Hurricane Ike. We also compared children with comorbid symptoms to children without comorbid symptoms, examining recovery, severity of symptoms, and risk factors. Method Children (n=277; 52% girls; 38% Hispanic, 28% White, 19% Black; grades 2–4) were assessed at 8 and 15 months postdisaster. Children completed measures of PTS and depressive symptoms at both time points and measures of exposure and recovery stressors at 8 months postdisaster. Results At 8 months postdisaster, 13% of children reported elevated PTS-only, 11% depression-only, and 10% comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression. At 15 months postdisaster, 7% of children reported elevated PTS-only, 11% depression-only, and 7% comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression. Children with comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression had poorer recovery, more severe symptoms, and they reported greater exposure and recovery stressors. Limitations We lacked information on children's predisaster functioning and diagnostic interview of psychological distress symptoms. Conclusions Children with comorbid symptoms need to be identified early postdisaster. Levels of stressors should be monitored postdisaster, as highly stressed youth have difficulties recovering and may need help. Interventions should be tailored for children with comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression.
- Subjects :
- Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Time Factors
Psychological intervention
Poison control
macromolecular substances
Comorbidity
Suicide prevention
Occupational safety and health
Article
Disasters
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Risk Factors
Injury prevention
medicine
Humans
Psychiatry
Child
Depression (differential diagnoses)
Cyclonic Storms
Depression
Stressor
medicine.disease
Texas
Psychiatry and Mental health
Clinical Psychology
Female
Psychology
Follow-Up Studies
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15732517
- Volume :
- 146
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of affective disorders
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....f15a95cd6db76a71c088dd77322a2e59