Citation

Kilmer RP, Gil-Rivas V. Child Dev. 2010; 81(4): 1211-1227.

Affiliation

University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01463.x

PMID

20636691

PMCID

PMC2907541

Abstract

This study explored posttraumatic growth (PTG), positive change resulting from struggling with trauma, among 7- to 10-year-olds impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Analyses focused on child self-system functioning and cognitive processes, and the caregiving context, in predicting PTG at 2 time points (Time 1 n = 66, Time 2 n = 51). Findings suggest that rumination, both negative, distressing thoughts and constructive, repetitive thinking, plays an important role in PTG. Hypotheses regarding future expectations and perceived competence were not fully supported, and, unexpectedly, coping competency beliefs, realistic control attributions, and perceived caregiver warmth did not contribute to PTG models. With 1 exception (positive reframing coping advice), caregiver-reported variables did not relate to PTG; no caregiver variable reached significance in final models. Relevant theory, developmental considerations, and future directions are discussed.

Language: en