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Media exposure, sympathetic nervous system reactivity predict PTSD symptoms in adolescents

Date:
August 4, 2014
Source:
Wiley
Summary:
Following the terrorist attack at the 2013 Boston marathon, adolescents with lower levels of sympathetic reactivity before the attack developed post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms only following high exposure to media coverage of the attack, a study that surveyed youth has found. Adolescents with high levels of sympathetic reactivity developed higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms regardless of how much media coverage they saw.
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In a Depression and Anxiety study that surveyed youth following the terrorist attack at the 2013 Boston marathon, adolescents with lower levels of sympathetic reactivity (the flight or fight response) before the attack developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms only following high exposure to media coverage of the attack. Adolescents with high levels of sympathetic reactivity developed higher levels of PTSD symptoms regardless of how much media coverage they saw.

"This study tells us more about which children are most vulnerable to symptoms of PTSD and emphasizes the importance of limiting media exposure for all children and adolescents following life- threatening events such as acts of terrorism," said senior author Dr. Margaret Sheridan.


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Materials provided by Wiley. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Daniel S. Busso, Katie A. McLaughlin, Margaret A. Sheridan. MEDIA EXPOSURE AND SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM REACTIVITY PREDICT PTSD SYMPTOMS AFTER THE BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS. Depression and Anxiety, 2014; 31 (7): 551 DOI: 10.1002/da.22282

Cite This Page:

Wiley. "Media exposure, sympathetic nervous system reactivity predict PTSD symptoms in adolescents." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 August 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140804123406.htm>.
Wiley. (2014, August 4). Media exposure, sympathetic nervous system reactivity predict PTSD symptoms in adolescents. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140804123406.htm
Wiley. "Media exposure, sympathetic nervous system reactivity predict PTSD symptoms in adolescents." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140804123406.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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