AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER SYMPTOMS AMONG BEREAVED CHILDREN

Purpose: This study reports on the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among a sample (n = 46) of bereaved children. PTSD symptoms in children who have experienced loss due to an expected death through illness have not been previously studied. Method: An exploratory cross-sectional design was used to compare Impact of Event Scale (IES) scores between two groups of bereaved children. One group experienced the sudden, unexpected death of a family member; the second group experi-enced the expected death of a family member following protracted illness. Findings: Overall, almost two-thirds of the children were found to be experi-encing moderate to severe levels of PTSD related symptoms of intrusion and avoidance as measured by the IES. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the IES scores of the two groups of children. Implications: Findings are discussed in relation to current practice with and research on bereaved children. In America 1.9 million children receive benefits from a deceased worker (Social Security Administration (SSA), 2003). As many children do not qualify for death benefits after the death of a parent for various reasons, the number of children who have lost a parent is most likely well above 2 million. The death of a parent during childhood, whether through trauma or protracted illness, is a unique and overwhelming event (Worden, Davies, & McCown, 1999) and often leads to 28