Trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorders among children after the Wenchuan earthquake: a four-year longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT: Background: Previous research has demonstrated heterogeneous patterns of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among children following disasters. However, no clear consensus has been reached regarding the postdisaster trajectories of PTSD among children. Objective: The current study examined the trajectories of PTSD among children after exposure to the Wenchuan earthquake and explored potential predictors of distinct PTSD trajectories. Methods: A four-year longitudinal study was conducted to follow 301 children who were evaluated for PTSD symptoms following the Wenchuan earthquake. Trauma exposure and some pre-existing characteristics were measured at four months after the disaster, and PTSD symptoms were measured at 4, 16, 29, 40 and 52 months after the disaster. The trajectories were ide

SUBMITTER: Liang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6427502 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature