Social support, sense of community, collective values, and depressive symptoms in adolescent survivors of the 2004 Beslan terrorist attack

Authors:
MOSCARDINO Ughetta, et al
Journal article citation:
Social Science and Medicine, 70(1), January 2010, pp.27-34.
Publisher:
Elsevier

This study investigates the influence of socio-contextual variables on depressive symptoms in survivors of the 2004 Beslan terrorist attack, Russia, based on an ecological perspective. Eighteen months after the traumatic event 158 adolescents, aged 14-17 years, completed self-reported measures assessing depressive symptoms, social support, sense of community, and collectivism. The analysis showed that, for both boys and girls, the endorsement of collectivistic values was related to increased family support, which in turn was associated with lower rates of depressive symptoms. In the male group, collectivism, along with sense of community, were positively associated with peer support, which in turn was negatively related to depressive symptoms. The findings imply that social support and community connectedness may serve as protection against psychological disorders relating to terrorism, and that gender differences, as well as cultural values, should be taken into consideration when implementing intervention with youths exposed to highly stressful situations.

Subject terms:
mental health, mental health problems, post traumatic stress disorder, terrorism, war, young people, children, depression;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Russia
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN print:
0277-9536

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