Brief report: Self-blame and PTSD symptoms in adolescents exposed to terrorism: is school connectedness a mediator?

J Adolesc. 2014 Jan;37(1):47-52. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.10.011. Epub 2013 Nov 20.

Abstract

Previous research has shown that self-blame predicts increased risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in youth exposed to terrorism, but little is known about the factors mediating such relationship. This study aimed to explore whether school connectedness (SC) mediates the effect of self-blame on PTSD in 60 adolescents (aged 14-18 years) who survived the 2004 terrorist attack against school no. 1 in Beslan, Russia. Participants completed measures of coping, SC, and PTSD three years after the traumatic event. Endorsement of self-blaming behaviors was found to be significantly positively related to the presence of PTSD; self-blame was negatively associated with SC, which in turn was negatively related to PTSD. The mediation hypothesis was supported, with SC partially mediating the link between self-blame and PTSD. Adolescents affected by terrorism may benefit from school-based interventions aimed at fostering students' sense of belonging and emotional bonding to teachers, peers, and the school environment.

Keywords: Adolescents; Posttraumatic stress disorder; School connectedness; Self-blame; Terrorism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Guilt*
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events
  • Male
  • Psychology, Adolescent
  • Regression Analysis
  • Schools*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / etiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Terrorism / psychology*