Stress reactions of school-age children to the bombardment by Scud missiles: a 1-year follow-up.
Follow-up long-term stress effects to bombardment by scud missiles were restudied 1 year following the Persian Gulf war in a group of 326 6th, 8th, and 11th grade children from areas hit and not hit by the missiles. Postwar stress reactions were assessed by a continuous global symptom score (Frederick and Pynoos, 1988) and by a dichotomous PTSD index. Overall, a large drop in stress reactions was obtained with lapse of time. Residual long-term stress reactions were found to be associated with higher immediate (4-week) stress reactions, a greater degree of exposure, and younger age. Results were discussed in relation to residual and evaporation of stress reaction effect as well as in terms of childhood resilience.
Schwarzwald
J
J
Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan Israel.
Weisenberg
M
M
Solomon
Z
Z
Waysman
M
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014857:Warfare