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

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.

This research was supported by funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (#R29MH57703) and the Talaris Research Institute and Apex Foundation awarded to the second author. This article is based on the dissertation work of the first author. We thank the families who shared their experiences during the difficult weeks following 9/11.

Notes

Note: PTS = posttraumatic stress.

^a 7.3% of the sample scored above 11, the suggested clinical cutoff score.

^b 20.4% of the sample reported functional impairment in one or more areas.

Note: PTS = posttraumatic stress; PI = previous interview.

^a Coded female = 1 male = 2.

^b Coded 0 = nonminority, 1 = minority.

^c Higher scores indicate more acceptance.

*p ≤ .02. **p ≤ .01 (Significance level adjusted for Type I error).

Note: Values are standardized beta coefficients at final step. Step 4 was conducted separately for each variable for a total of six regressions.

^a Coded female = 1, male = 2.

^b Coded nonminority = 0, minority = 1.

*p ≤ .05. **p ≤ .01. ^t p < .10.

Note: Values are standardized beta coefficients. PTS = posttraumatic stress.

*p ≤ .05. **p ≤ .01.