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. 2010;39(4):445-59.
doi: 10.1080/15374416.2010.486317.

Parenting and temperament prior to September 11, 2001, and parenting specific to 9/11 as predictors of children's posttraumatic stress symptoms following 9/11

Anna C Wilson  1 , Liliana J Lengua, Andrew N Meltzoff, Kimberly A Smith
Affiliations

Parenting and temperament prior to September 11, 2001, and parenting specific to 9/11 as predictors of children's posttraumatic stress symptoms following 9/11

Anna C Wilson et al. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2010.

Abstract

Parenting is related to children's adjustment, but little research has examined the role of parenting in children's responses to disasters. This study describes parenting responses specific to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and examines pre-9/11 parenting, child temperament, and 9/11-specific parenting as predictors of children's posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms among children geographically distant from the attack locations. A community sample of children and parents (n = 137, ages 9-13 years) participating in an ongoing study were interviewed 1 month following 9/11. Parents reported engaging in a number of parenting responses following 9/11. Pre-9/11 acceptance and 9/11-specific, self-focused parental responses predicted PTS symptoms. Pre-9/11 parenting and temperament interacted to predict PTS symptoms, suggesting that parenting and temperament are important prospective predictors of children's responses to indirect exposure to disasters.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Model of child characteristics and parenting context in PTS symptom development (adapted from Foa et al., 1989; Silverman & La Greca, 2002).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Acceptance x negative emotionality predicting PTS symptom severity.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Acceptance x effortful control predicting PTS symptom severity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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