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Effects of media exposure on adolescents traumatized in a school shooting
Author(s) -
Haravuori Henna,
Suomalainen Laura,
Berg Noora,
Kiviruusu Olli,
Marttunen Mauri
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20605
Subject(s) - psychology , developmental psychology , clinical psychology
This study analyzes the impact of the media on adolescents traumatized in a school shooting. Participants were trauma‐exposed students ( n = 231) and comparison students ( n = 526), aged 13–19 years. A questionnaire that included the Impact of Event Scale and a 36‐item General Health Questionnaire was administered 4 months after the shooting. Being interviewed was associated with higher scores on the Impact of Event Scale ( p = .005), but posttraumatic symptoms did not differ between those who refused to be interviewed and those not approached by reporters. Following a higher number of media outlets did not affect symptoms.