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. 2011 Apr;24(2):174-82.
doi: 10.1002/jts.20625. Epub 2011 Mar 25.

More than the loss of a parent: potentially traumatic events among orphaned and abandoned children

Kathryn Whetten  1 , Jan Ostermann, Rachel Whetten, Karen O'Donnell, Nathan Thielman; Positive Outcomes for Orphans Research Team
Collaborators, Affiliations

More than the loss of a parent: potentially traumatic events among orphaned and abandoned children

Kathryn Whetten et al. J Trauma Stress. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

This study examines rates of potentially traumatic events and associated anxiety and emotional/behavioral difficulties among 1,258 orphaned and abandoned children in 5 low- and middle-income countries. The study quantifies the types of events the children experienced and demonstrates that anxiety and emotional/behavioral difficulties increase with additional exposure. As policies for orphaned and abandoned children are being implemented, this study helps policy makers and care providers recognize that (a) children and caregivers are willing to report experiences of potentially traumatic events, (b) those who report such events are at higher risk for experiencing additional events, (c) resulting symptomatology indicates a need for appropriate mental health services, and (d) boys are as vulnerable as girls, indicating an equal need for protection.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Association of potentially traumatic events with anxiety and emotional difficulties. OAC = Orphaned and Abandonded Children; PCL-S = Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Specific; SDQ = Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. PCL-S was not used with the non-OAC group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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