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

Full 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.Copyright 2006 APA, all rights reserved.

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Author information

Author/s: DeVoe, Ellen R (ER); Bannon, William M (WM); Klein, Tovah P (TP);

Affiliation: Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, USA. edevoe(-atsign-)bu.edu

Grants: R01 MH66462-01 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The American journal of orthopsychiatry (Am J Orthopsychiatry), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Apr; vol 76 (issue 2) : pp 167-75

Dates: Created 2006/05/24; Completed 2006/10/31; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 16719635, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Child, Preschool
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Health Services - utilization
New York City - epidemiology

New York City - epidemiology
Parents - psychology
Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data
Prevalence
September 11 Terrorist Attacks - psychology
Severity of Illness Index
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology; etiology; therapy

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