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Youth's Reactions to Disasters and the Factors That Influence Their Response
Betty Pfefferbaum1, J Brian Houston, Carol S North
1Paul and Ruth Jonas Chair, Professor and Chairman, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 920 Stanton L. Young Blvd., WP-3470, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, , , betty-pfefferbaum@ouhsc.edu.
The Prevention Researcher
|December 3, 2009
Summary
Youth disaster reactions, including stress and PTSD, are influenced by event exposure and individual factors more than demographics. Parental reactions and family dynamics also play a role in children's post-disaster outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Disaster Mental Health
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Disasters significantly impact youth, leading to stress reactions and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Understanding youth's unique responses to disasters is crucial for effective intervention.
- Factors influencing these reactions require comprehensive examination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key outcomes of disaster exposure in youth.
- To explore individual, family, and social predictors of youth's post-disaster mental health.
- To prepare professionals for working with youth in post-disaster contexts.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on youth disaster reactions.
- Analysis of factors influencing psychological outcomes in children post-disaster.
- Synthesis of data on developmental differences in disaster response.
Main Results:
- Youth disaster reactions include stress, PTSD, and comorbid conditions.
- Event characteristics, exposure, pre-existing conditions, and prior trauma are significant predictors.
- Demographic factors are less influential than exposure and individual variables.
- Youth reactions parallel parental responses; family interactions are influential.
- Social factors remain under-examined.
Conclusions:
- Youth disaster responses are complex, influenced by multiple interacting factors.
- Individual and family variables are critical in predicting outcomes.
- Further research into social factors is warranted to support youth mental health post-disaster.
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