PTSD is one of the psychological disorders that occurs after natural disasters. Many cases will remit within a few months, however in some estimates nearly one-third of cases have a chronic course. Delay-onset PTSD and progressive increase of symptoms seem to be very common. Given the significant rates of PTSD among children and adolescents after earthquakes and the long-term impact on their mental health, it is of primary importance to identify and treat symptoms effectively. The authors will present preliminary data from a cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of PTSD in a sample of children and adolescents nine months after the 2012 earthquake that hit the Emilia Romagna region in northern Italy. Data concerning risk (e.g., level of trauma exposure and parental psychopathology) and protective factors for the development and the persistence of the disorder will be also presented. Children and adolescents (age range: 9–14 years), randomly selected from schools in the Province of Modena, have been assessed using an exposure questionnaire on objective/subjective experiences during the earthquake, the UCLA PTSD index for DSM-IV (UPID), and the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Parental symptomatology has been also assessed, in order to evaluate the influence of parental psychopathology on offspring's adjustment. Given the few studies conducted in Italy about the long-term psychological impact of natural disaster on children and adolescents, the present research has important implications for the prevention and treatment of traumatized children and adolescents in Italy, as well as for the development of effective posttrauma interventions.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of PTSD in Children and Adolescents after the 2012 Earthquake in the Emilia Romagna Region: implications for intervention / Forresi, Barbara; DEL GIOVANE, Cinzia; Soncini, Francesco; Aggazzotti, Gabriella; D'Amico, Roberto; Parmelli, Elena; Righi, Elena; Caffo, Ernesto. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY. - ISSN 2000-8066. - STAMPA. - 4 (suppl.1):(2013), pp. 71-71. (Intervento presentato al convegno XIII ESTSS Conference: “Trauma and its clinical pathways: PTSD and beyond” tenutosi a Bologna, Italy nel 5 -9 June 2013).

Prevalence and Risk Factors of PTSD in Children and Adolescents after the 2012 Earthquake in the Emilia Romagna Region: implications for intervention

FORRESI, Barbara;DEL GIOVANE, Cinzia;Soncini, Francesco;AGGAZZOTTI, Gabriella;D'AMICO, Roberto;PARMELLI, Elena;RIGHI, Elena;CAFFO, Ernesto
2013

Abstract

PTSD is one of the psychological disorders that occurs after natural disasters. Many cases will remit within a few months, however in some estimates nearly one-third of cases have a chronic course. Delay-onset PTSD and progressive increase of symptoms seem to be very common. Given the significant rates of PTSD among children and adolescents after earthquakes and the long-term impact on their mental health, it is of primary importance to identify and treat symptoms effectively. The authors will present preliminary data from a cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of PTSD in a sample of children and adolescents nine months after the 2012 earthquake that hit the Emilia Romagna region in northern Italy. Data concerning risk (e.g., level of trauma exposure and parental psychopathology) and protective factors for the development and the persistence of the disorder will be also presented. Children and adolescents (age range: 9–14 years), randomly selected from schools in the Province of Modena, have been assessed using an exposure questionnaire on objective/subjective experiences during the earthquake, the UCLA PTSD index for DSM-IV (UPID), and the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Parental symptomatology has been also assessed, in order to evaluate the influence of parental psychopathology on offspring's adjustment. Given the few studies conducted in Italy about the long-term psychological impact of natural disaster on children and adolescents, the present research has important implications for the prevention and treatment of traumatized children and adolescents in Italy, as well as for the development of effective posttrauma interventions.
2013
4 (suppl.1)
71
71
Forresi, Barbara; DEL GIOVANE, Cinzia; Soncini, Francesco; Aggazzotti, Gabriella; D'Amico, Roberto; Parmelli, Elena; Righi, Elena; Caffo, Ernesto
Prevalence and Risk Factors of PTSD in Children and Adolescents after the 2012 Earthquake in the Emilia Romagna Region: implications for intervention / Forresi, Barbara; DEL GIOVANE, Cinzia; Soncini, Francesco; Aggazzotti, Gabriella; D'Amico, Roberto; Parmelli, Elena; Righi, Elena; Caffo, Ernesto. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY. - ISSN 2000-8066. - STAMPA. - 4 (suppl.1):(2013), pp. 71-71. (Intervento presentato al convegno XIII ESTSS Conference: “Trauma and its clinical pathways: PTSD and beyond” tenutosi a Bologna, Italy nel 5 -9 June 2013).
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1108144
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