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Pre‐attack stress‐load, appraisals, and coping in children's responses to the 9/11 terrorist attacks
Author(s) -
Lengua Liliana J.,
Long Anna C.,
Meltzoff Andrew N.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01664.x
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , psychology , psychological intervention , terrorism , clinical psychology , cognitive appraisal , stressor , coping behavior , psychiatry , archaeology , history
Background: Appraisal and coping following a disaster are important factors in children's post‐traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. However, little is known about predictors of disaster coping responses. This study examined stress‐load, appraisals and coping styles measured prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks as predictors of 9/11‐specific appraisals, coping and PTS. Methods: A community sample of children and parents ( N = 143) participating in an ongoing study were interviewed by phone approximately 1 month following 9/11. Results: Pre‐attack stress‐load, appraisal and coping styles predicted children's 9/11‐specific appraisals, coping, and PTS. 9/11‐specific threat appraisals and avoidant coping predicted higher PTS and mediated the effects of pre‐attack stress‐load and threat appraisal. Conclusions: Pre‐disaster stress‐load, appraisal and coping styles predict disaster‐specific appraisal and coping, which in turn, contribute to PTS. Coping interventions might mitigate PTS symptoms following a disaster.