The DOI matches its Crossref record; 31 of the 32 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Trauma-related impairment in children—A survey in Sri Lankan provinces affected by armed conflict
Open accessAbstract
Objectives The present study examined traumatic experiences, PTSD, and co-morbid symptoms in relation to neuropsychological and school performance in school children affected by two decades of civil war and unrest.Method The epidemiological survey of children's mental health included a representative sample of 420 school children. Local teachers were trained to administer a translation of the UCLA-PTSD Index Form. The instrument and the epidemiological findings were validated by assessment through clinical expert interview, school grades, and neuropsychological testing in a subsample (N=67).Results Ninety-two percent of the children surveyed had experienced severely traumatizing events such as combat, bombing, shelling, or witnessing the death of a loved one. Twenty-five percent met the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. Traumatized children reported lasting interference of experiences with their daily life, which was corroborated by memory testing, scores in school performance and ratings of social withdrawal. Depressive symptoms and poor physical health were frequent in these children. The majority of trained teachers achieved valid results in the structured interviews.Conclusion Performance and functioning in children are related to the total load of traumatic events experienced. An important component of psychosocial programs in post-conflict areas should include increasing community-based awareness of the consequences of traumatic stress, both as a preventative measure and as a way of decreasing stigmatization of affected individuals.
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“and high levels of lasting mental disorders, including PTSD, had been found among war-affected Tamil school children already before the Tsunami [28].”
From Treating children traumatized by war and tsunami: a comparison between exposure therapy and meditation-relaxation in north-east Sri Lanka (2009) · cites this paper as [28]
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“In a previous study, this instrument had been translated into Tamil following standard principles of instrument translation and validation [28].”
From Treating children traumatized by war and tsunami: a comparison between exposure therapy and meditation-relaxation in north-east Sri Lanka (2009) · cites this paper as [28]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Elbert, T., Schauer, M., Schauer, E., Huschka, B., Hirth, M., & Neuner, F.
- Affiliations
- University of Konstanz (DE)
- Bielefeld University (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Elbert, Thomas
- Venue
- Child Abuse & Neglect
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2009-04
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 238-246
- ISSN
- 0145-2134 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2117241046
- Cited by
- 167
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 13.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- nbn-resolving.de
- Locations
- Child Abuse & Neglect (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- KOPS (University of Konstanz) (submittedVersion)
- PUB – Publications at Bielefeld University (Bielefeld University) (submittedVersion)
- Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld (Universität Bielefeld) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Keywords
- childhood trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, armed conflict, civil war, Sri Lanka, elementary school students, neuropsychological performance, academic performance, depressive symptoms, physical health, social withdrawal, psychosocial interventions, post-conflict mental health
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Educational Measurement, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Memory, Quality of Life, Sri Lanka, Warfare, Wounds and Injuries, Comorbidity, Epidemiologic Studies, Young Adult
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