Parenting and temperament prior to September 11, 2001, and parenting specific to 9/11 as predictors of children's posttraumatic stress symptoms following 9/11.
Parenting is related to children's adjustment, but little research has examined the role of parenting in children's responses to disasters. This study describes parenting responses specific to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and examines pre-9/11 parenting, child temperament, and 9/11-specific parenting as predictors of children's posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms among children geographically distant from the attack locations. A community sample of children and parents (n = 137, ages 9-13 years) participating in an ongoing study were interviewed 1 month following 9/11. Parents reported engaging in a number of parenting responses following 9/11. Pre-9/11 acceptance and 9/11-specific, self-focused parental responses predicted PTS symptoms. Pre-9/11 parenting and temperament interacted to predict PTS symptoms, suggesting that parenting and temperament are important prospective predictors of children's responses to indirect exposure to disasters.
Wilson
Anna C
AC
Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. longann@ohsu.edu
Lengua
Liliana J
LJ
Meltzoff
Andrew N
AN
Smith
Kimberly A
KA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002668:Child Rearing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D013694:Temperament