We conducted a field study to test whether parents’ negative reactions to a natural disaster affected children’s reactions, together with the factors buffering this negative influence. Specifically, we examined whether parents’ posttraumatic stress symptoms following an earthquake were associated with children’s posttraumatic symptoms and their use of negative coping strategies. Theory of Mind (ToM) was tested as the factor allowing children to reduce the detrimental effects of posttraumatic stress symptoms on negative coping. Hypotheses were tested in a sample of elementary school children and their parents in the aftermath of the earthquakes that struck Northern Italy in 2012. Results revealed that mothers’ (but not fathers’) posttraumatic stress symptoms were positively associated with children’s posttraumatic stress symptoms, which acted as mediator on the use of negative coping strategies by children, but only among children with low ToM abilities. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of findings.

Preventing the detrimental effect of posttraumatic stress in young children: The role of theory of mind in the aftermath of a natural disaster / Cadamuro, Alessia; Versari, Annalisa; Vezzali, Loris; Trifiletti, Elena. - In: THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY. - ISSN 1740-5629. - STAMPA. - 13:1(2016), pp. 52-66. [10.1080/17405629.2015.1055240]

Preventing the detrimental effect of posttraumatic stress in young children: The role of theory of mind in the aftermath of a natural disaster

CADAMURO, Alessia;VERSARI, Annalisa;VEZZALI, Loris;
2016

Abstract

We conducted a field study to test whether parents’ negative reactions to a natural disaster affected children’s reactions, together with the factors buffering this negative influence. Specifically, we examined whether parents’ posttraumatic stress symptoms following an earthquake were associated with children’s posttraumatic symptoms and their use of negative coping strategies. Theory of Mind (ToM) was tested as the factor allowing children to reduce the detrimental effects of posttraumatic stress symptoms on negative coping. Hypotheses were tested in a sample of elementary school children and their parents in the aftermath of the earthquakes that struck Northern Italy in 2012. Results revealed that mothers’ (but not fathers’) posttraumatic stress symptoms were positively associated with children’s posttraumatic stress symptoms, which acted as mediator on the use of negative coping strategies by children, but only among children with low ToM abilities. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of findings.
2016
13
1
52
66
Preventing the detrimental effect of posttraumatic stress in young children: The role of theory of mind in the aftermath of a natural disaster / Cadamuro, Alessia; Versari, Annalisa; Vezzali, Loris; Trifiletti, Elena. - In: THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY. - ISSN 1740-5629. - STAMPA. - 13:1(2016), pp. 52-66. [10.1080/17405629.2015.1055240]
Cadamuro, Alessia; Versari, Annalisa; Vezzali, Loris; Trifiletti, Elena
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
cadamuro et al. parents.pdf

Open access

Tipologia: Versione originale dell'autore proposta per la pubblicazione
Dimensione 136.17 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
136.17 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Preventing the detrimental effect of posttraumatic stress in young children.pdf

Accesso riservato

Descrizione: Versione editoriale
Tipologia: Versione pubblicata dall'editore
Dimensione 205.43 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
205.43 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

Licenza Creative Commons
I metadati presenti in IRIS UNIMORE sono rilasciati con licenza Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal, mentre i file delle pubblicazioni sono rilasciati con licenza Attribuzione 4.0 Internazionale (CC BY 4.0), salvo diversa indicazione.
In caso di violazione di copyright, contattare Supporto Iris

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1095235
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 9
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 7
social impact