Effects of media exposure on adolescents traumatized in a school shooting

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.