Post-9/11 helpseeking by New York City parents on behalf of highly exposed young children

Abstract

This study examines factors related to helpseeking among New York City parents on behalf of their young children after the September 11th terrorist attacks. Data were gathered from 180 parents about their children (under age 5) through in-depth parent interviews 9-12 months postdisaster. Parents were asked to describe their children's disaster-related experiences, their own and their children's mental health status, and post-9/11 helpseeking behavior for their children. Predictors of parental helpseeking for children's services included the emergence of new fears in children since 9/11, parent symptoms of depression, and parents' own helpseeking. The strongest predictor was children's direct exposure to the attacks. Fifteen percent (n = 27) of parents sought services for their very young children. Findings suggest that following 9/11, a familial orientation to helpseeking combined with children's specific disaster-related experiences may provide a basis for seeking services for young children, rather than children's apparent mental health status.