NCJ Number
171524
Journal
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Volume: 66 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1996) Pages: 329-336
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study assesses high school students for exposure to violent crime, resultant stress symptoms, and use of social support and coping strategies to moderate the symptoms.
Abstract
Study participants (N=96) were students at a greater Miami/Dade County metropolitan area alternative high school aimed at dropout prevention. The study found high rates of exposure and symptomatology. Aspects of the moderating factors were significantly related to amount and severity of symptoms. None of the participants who reported being exposed to a traumatic event was symptom-free. With regard to social support, results of the study are consistent with earlier findings that perceived social support is a more effective predictor of positive outcomes than social support actually received. The use of Positive Coping Style was not predictive of degree of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) symptomatology, whereas the use of Negative Coping Style was a predictor of symptomatology. The sample was of average or above-average intelligence, which might be a contributor to resilience. Future research might investigate the role of intelligence as another moderator of PTSD symptomatology. Note, table, references