Citation

Pfefferbaum B. Mil. Med. 2001; 166(12 Suppl): 49-50.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73190-3048, USA. betty-pfefferbaum@ouhsc.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11778433

Abstract

This study examined the influence of exposure on post-traumatic stress symptomatology in children following the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Over 2,000 children were surveyed 7 weeks after the bombing. Initial reaction and emotional exposure were important predictors of post-traumatic stress symptomatology in the full sample. Children who reported no physical or emotional exposure had significantly lower scores than exposed children on television viewing, initial reaction, and post-traumatic stress symptomatology. Within the nonexposed group, those with high television exposure had significantly more post-traumatic stress symptoms. Children with strong initial reactions should be followed over time, and disaster-related television viewing should be carefully monitored.

Language: en