title: Predictors of post-traumatic stress symptoms in Oklahoma City: exposure, social support, peri-traumatic responses.
abstract: Eighty-five adults seeking mental health assistance six months after the Oklahoma City bombing were assessed to determine which of three groups of variables (exposure, peri-traumatic responses, and social support) predicted development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Variables most highly associated with subsequent PTSD symptoms included having been injured (among exposure variables), feeling nervous or afraid (peri-traumatic responses), and responding that counseling helped (support variables). Combining primary predictors in the three areas, PTSD symptoms were more likely to occur in those reporting counseling to help and those feeling nervous or afraid at the time of the bombing. Implications of these findings are discussed for behavioral health administrators and clinicians planning service delivery to groups of victims seeking mental health intervention after terrorist attacks and other disasters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pfefferbaum
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nixon
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dickson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009825:Oklahoma; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D023481:Terrorism; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*