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Current Psychiatry Reports
Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports 5/2016

01-05-2016 | Child and Family Disaster Psychiatry (B Pfefferbaum, Section Editor)

Children’s Cognitive Functioning in Disasters and Terrorism

Authors: Betty Pfefferbaum, Mary A. Noffsinger, Anne K. Jacobs, Vandana Varma

Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports | Issue 5/2016

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Abstract

A growing literature has begun to address the cognitions that influence children’s disaster reactions as well as the effects of disasters on children’s cognitions. These cognitions must be viewed in the context of developmental and cultural considerations as well as disaster-related factors such as exposure and secondary stressors. This review examines the extant literature on children’s cognitions related to disasters and terrorism including threat appraisal, beliefs, attention and concentration, memory, academic achievement, and executive functioning. The review highlights areas where research is lacking such as the effect of disasters on children’s attention, concentration, content of disaster memories, and executive functioning. It also notes findings that may advance post-disaster screening and intervention.
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Metadata
Title
Children’s Cognitive Functioning in Disasters and Terrorism
Authors
Betty Pfefferbaum
Mary A. Noffsinger
Anne K. Jacobs
Vandana Varma
Publication date
01-05-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Psychiatry Reports / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 1523-3812
Electronic ISSN: 1535-1645
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-016-0685-2

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