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The Prospective Role of Cognitive Appraisals and Social Support in Predicting Children's Posttraumatic Stress.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Ellis, Alicia A 
Williamson, Paul 
Nixon, Reginald DV 

Abstract

Although both social support and cognitive appraisals are strong predictors of children's posttraumatic adjustment, understanding of the interplay between these factors is limited. We assessed whether cognitive appraisals mediated the relationship between social support and symptom development, as predicted by cognitive models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Ninety seven children (Mean age = 12.08 years) were assessed at one month and six months following a single incident trauma. We administered self-report measures of cognitive appraisals, social support, and a diagnostic interview for PTSD. Results indicated that cognitive appraisals at one month post-trauma mediated the relationship between social support at one month post-trauma, and PTSD severity at follow-up. Differences in this relationship were observed between child-reported social support and parent-rated ability to provide support. Firm evidence was provided for the application of cognitive models of PTSD to children.

Description

Keywords

Children, Cognitive appraisals, PTSD, Social support, Adolescent, Child, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Social Support, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Journal Title

J Abnorm Child Psychol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0091-0627
1573-2835

Volume Title

43

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC