Pre-attack stress-load, appraisals, and coping in children's responses to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
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.
Lengua
Liliana J
LJ
Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. liliana@u.washington.edu
Long
Anna C
AC
Meltzoff
Andrew N
AN
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors