title: Children's symptoms of posttraumatic stress and depression after a natural disaster: comorbidity and risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study examined rates of comorbidity among children's symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS) and depression after a natural disaster, Hurricane Ike. We also compared children with comorbid symptoms to children without comorbid symptoms, examining recovery, severity of symptoms, and risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children (n=277; 52% girls; 38% Hispanic, 28% White, 19% Black; grades 2-4) were assessed at 8 and 15 months postdisaster. Children completed measures of PTS and depressive symptoms at both time points and measures of exposure and recovery stressors at 8 months postdisaster.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 8 months postdisaster, 13% of children reported elevated PTS-only, 11% depression-only, and 10% comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression. At 15 months postdisaster, 7% of children reported elevated PTS-only, 11% depression-only, and 7% comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression. Children with comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression had poorer recovery, more severe symptoms, and they reported greater exposure and recovery stressors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We lacked information on children's predisaster functioning and diagnostic interview of psychological distress symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with comorbid symptoms need to be identified early postdisaster. Levels of stressors should be monitored postdisaster, as highly stressed youth have difficulties recovering and may need help. Interventions should be tailored for children with comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Miami, FL 33124-9117, USA. blai@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Betty S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Annette M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: La Greca
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Auslander
authors.forename: Mary B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Short
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors