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Trauma reminders and PTSD symptoms in children three years after a terrorist attack in Beslan

Sara Scrimin1, Ughetta Moscardino, Fabia Capello

  • 1Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy. sara.scrimin@unipd.it

Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|January 25, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children exposed to the Beslan terrorist attack experienced trauma reminders linked to distress. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presence was associated with exposure level and coping strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Trauma Studies
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Terrorist attacks can cause lasting psychological harm, particularly in children.
  • Trauma reminders, both internal and external, are significant factors in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development.
  • Understanding the long-term impact of mass trauma on child survivors is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence of PTSD and trauma reminders in children three years after the Beslan terrorist attack.
  • To examine the association between exposure, psychological distress, coping strategies, and PTSD.
  • To explore the influence of the socio-political climate on post-attack distress.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 58 school-age children, three years post-Beslan attack.
  • Assessment of PTSD symptoms and exposure to trauma reminders.
  • Evaluation of psychological distress and coping mechanisms, including support seeking.

Main Results:

  • Situational trauma reminders were prevalent and associated with high distress in more exposed children.
  • Higher exposure levels, frequent trauma reminders, and using support seeking as a coping strategy predicted PTSD.
  • Significant psychological distress persisted three years after the event.

Conclusions:

  • Trauma reminders and level of exposure are key predictors of PTSD in child survivors of terrorism.
  • Coping strategies, such as support seeking, play a role in PTSD development.
  • The long-term psychological impact is influenced by individual exposure and the broader socio-political context.

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