RESUMEN
The role of parental factors in the emergence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) following pediatric surgeries is well recognized, but the specific influence of parents' subjective preparedness for their child's surgery has not been explored. In a study involving 253 children hospitalized in a pediatric surgery ward, parents completed a demographic questionnaire during their child's stay, which included the question, "As a parent, have you been prepared for the surgical intervention your child is undergoing?" Four months post-surgery, the same parents were interviewed using two questionnaires that evaluated their children's post-traumatic symptoms. Our findings indicate that in emergency surgical settings, children whose parents felt prepared experienced significantly fewer PTSSs compared to children whose parents did not feel prepared. In contrast, for elective surgeries, parental subjective perception of preparedness did not significantly impact the children's PTSSs. We conclude that for emergency surgical procedures, addressing parents' subjective preparedness could be crucial. Further research is necessary to develop targeted interventions that leverage this insight to minimize the risk of PTSSs in children undergoing emergency surgeries.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: In February 2022, Ukraine suffered a devastating assault by Russia, leading to destruction, casualties, and displacement. Among those displaced were over 1.5 million families with children. War and displacement expose families to a heightened risk of mental health issues. These risks increase when both the parents and the children are exposed to trauma and develop mental health difficulties. This study investigated the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues among parents and children and the associations between them. METHOD: The study included 50 dyads of children and parents who had arrived in Israel after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Parents completed self-report questionnaires to assess their mental health and their children's mental health. RESULTS: About 56% of the parents and 2% of the children met the criteria for PTSD, and 50% of the children and 56% of the parents met the cutoff for clinical general psychological distress. Significant correlations were found between the parent's PTSD levels and the children's PTSD symptoms. Significant correlations were found between the parent's general distress and the children's PTSD symptoms, general distress, and externalizing problems. Children whose parents showed high rates of PTSD showed significantly higher PTSD and distress rates. CONCLUSIONS: Parents and children of refugees show high levels of mental health difficulties. The children's mental health is associated with the parent's mental health. A deeper understanding of the challenges faced by refugee families can inform the development of targeted assistance programs and the recruitment and training of personnel in host countries. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In February 2022, Ukraine suffered a devastating assault by Russia, leading to destruction, casualties, and mass displacement. Among those displaced were over 1.5 million children. Forced displacement exposes children to a heightened risk of mental health issues. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the prevalence of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues among child refugees shortly after their displacement from Ukraine to Israel. It aimed to identify factors influencing PTSD development and explore their associations. METHODS: The study included 59 child refugees who had arrived in Israel after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Parents completed self-report questionnaires to assess their children's mental health. RESULTS: Only three children met the DSM diagnostic criteria for PTSD, with higher scores in the negative cognition and re-experiencing clusters. Over half of the children exhibited general mental health problems, with approximately 40 % showing internalizing problems, and 30 % showing externalizing problems. The study also found a significant comorbidity between PTSD symptoms and internalizing problems. Additionally, internalizing problems emerged as the sole significant predictor of PTSD levels when considering factors such as age, gender, economic status, parents' work status, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems. CONCLUSIONS: Child refugees frequently experience psychological distress, even if they do not meet the formal diagnostic criteria for PTSD. They often exhibit other distress symptoms, primarily internalizing problems, which can be challenging to detect. A deeper understanding of the challenges faced by refugee children can inform the development of targeted assistance programs and the recruitment and training of personnel in host countries.