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The effects of a natural disaster on child behavior: Evidence for posttraumatic stress

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Listed:
  • Durkin, M.S.
  • Khan, N.
  • Davidson, L.L.
  • Zaman, S.S.
  • Stein, Z.A.

Abstract

Objectives. A prospective study of children examined both before and after a flood disaster in Bangladesh is used to test the hypothesis that stressful events play a causal role in the development of behavioral disorders in children. Methods. Six months before the disaster, structured measures of selected behavioral problems were made during an epidemiological study of disability among 2- to 9-year-old children. Five months after the disaster, a representative sample of 162 surviving children was reevaluated. Results. Between the pre- and postflood assessments, the prevalence of aggressive behavior increased from zero to nearly 10%, and 45 of the 134 children who had bladder control before the flood (34%) developed enuresis. Conclusions. These results help define what may be considered symptoms of posttraumatic distress in childhood; they also contribute to mounting evidence of the need to develop and evaluate interventions aimed at ameliorating the behavioral and psychological consequences of children's exposure to extreme and traumatic situations.

Suggested Citation

  • Durkin, M.S. & Khan, N. & Davidson, L.L. & Zaman, S.S. & Stein, Z.A., 1993. "The effects of a natural disaster on child behavior: Evidence for posttraumatic stress," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 83(11), pages 1549-1553.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1993:83:11:1549-1553_9
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    Cited by:

    1. Roger Few, 2003. "Flooding, vulnerability and coping strategies: local responses to a global threat," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 3(1), pages 43-58, January.
    2. Paolo Vineis, 2010. "Climate change and the diversity of its health effects," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(2), pages 81-82, April.
    3. Sufia Rehman & Mehebub Sahana & Haoyuan Hong & Haroon Sajjad & Baharin Bin Ahmed, 2019. "A systematic review on approaches and methods used for flood vulnerability assessment: framework for future research," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 96(2), pages 975-998, March.
    4. Michael R. Greenberg & Dona F. Schneider, 1995. "Gender Differences in Risk Perception: Effects Differ in Stressed vs. Non‐Stressed Environments," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(4), pages 503-511, August.

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