@article{ref1,
title="Children's reactions to serial murder",
journal="Behavioral sciences and the law",
year="1994",
author="Herkov, Michael J. and Myers, Wade C. and Burket, Roger C.",
volume="12",
number="3",
pages="251-259",
abstract="This study examined the psychological reactions of children who lived in a community exposed to serial murder. The research also examined how parents coped with their children's psychological responses. Thirty-four parents of 64 children between the ages of 5 and 18, inclusive, were asked to identify changes in their children since the serial murders. Data collection began 4 weeks following the murders and included assessment of emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects of the child's responses. Follow-up data collection occurred at 9 months and 18 months after the murders. <br><br>RESULTS indicated that children, as a group, experienced a number of psychological changes following the murders, even though none of the actual victims were children. The most frequently reported symptoms were anxiety-based (fear of being alone, difficulty falling asleep and wanting to sleep with patents). Most children showed a significant decline in symptoms across time. The most popular parent coping strategies involved discussing issues of risk minimization, talking about the murders, and spending more time with children.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0735-3936",
doi="10.1002/bsl.2370120305",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bsl.2370120305"
}