Predictors of Behavior and Level of Life Satisfaction of Children and Adolescents After a Major Tornado
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2008
Abstract
Data were collected on students in Grades 3 to 12 regarding their reactions to a major F4 tornado, which caused damage to their town in southern Minnesota. The purpose of this study was to examine some of the factors (i.e., level of exposure to the disaster, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and home relocation) that may help predict behavioral problems and life satisfaction after a major tornado. The disruption of relocating to a new home after the tornado was associated with higher levels of internalizing behavior problems for children in Grades 3 to 6 and higher levels of externalizing behavior problems for adolescents in Grades 7 to 12. Increased exposure to the tornado was significantly associated with high levels of life satisfaction. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Department
Psychology
Publication Title
Journal of Pyschological Trauma
Recommended Citation
Houlihan, D., Ries, B., Polusny, M.A., & Hanson, C. (2008). Predictors of Behavior and Level of Life Satisfaction of Children and Adolescents After a Major Tornado. Journal of Psychological Trauma, 7(1), 21-36. doi. 10.1080/19322880802125902
DOI
10.1080/19322880802125902
Link to Publisher Version (DOI)
Publisher's Copyright and Source
Copyright © 2008 Taylor & Francis Group. Article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Journal of Psychological Trauma, volume 7, issue number 1, 2008, pages 21-36. Available online on October 12, 2008: http://doi.org/10.1080/19322880802125902.
