2001/12/01 by Betty Pfefferbaum · 1 citation
Psychology · Health Professions · #Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research #Migration, Health and Trauma #Disaster Response and Management
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/milmed/166.suppl_2.49
openalex publication_date 2001/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
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.