Moral development and psychopathological interference in conscience functioning among adolescents after trauma.
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
; 38(4): 376-84, 1999 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10199108
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To compare moral development and psychopathological interference with conscience functioning (PI) among adolescents exposed to different degrees of earthquake-related trauma and to investigate the relationship of moral development and PI to exposure to trauma, severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, postearthquake adversities, and extent of loss of nuclear family members.METHOD:
Adolescents (N = 193) from 2 cities at different distances from the epicenter were evaluated. The Stilwell Structured Conscience Interview was used to assess moral development and PI. Structured self-report instruments were used to obtain ratings of severity of earthquake-related trauma, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and postearthquake adversities.RESULTS:
Adolescents in the city near the epicenter manifested advanced moral development as compared with their counterparts in the less affected city. Concomitantly, they endorsed responses indicating PI. Levels of PI were significantly correlated with severity of PTSD symptoms.CONCLUSION:
In the aftermath of a catastrophic natural disaster, children assume greater responsibilities and confront a multitude of morally challenging interpersonal situations which may result in an advancement of their moral development. Yet, at the same time, PTSD symptoms and negative schematizations of self and others may give rise to disturbances in conscience functioning. The findings suggest that therapeutic consideration should be given to assisting children in integrating the horror of their traumatic experiences and the harshness of posttrauma adversities into an adaptive schema of good and evil in themselves and the world.
Buscar no Google
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transtornos de Estresse Pós-Traumáticos
/
Consciência
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
Ano de publicação:
1999
Tipo de documento:
Article