English

2019 Strategy Effects and Replication

Summary Background: Exposure to natural disasters and other adverse events may negatively impact child mental health and cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms expressed in problem behaviour, low self-regulation, poor attitude to learning and difficulties with reading, writing and math. Long term health problems, school absenteeism, substance abuse and suicide ideation may occur in those with persistently high symptoms. Christchurch, New Zealand, has been hit by a series of thousands of earthquakes, beginning in September, 2010, which have severely affected the city, and the community’s children. Scope and objective : Four studies were completed in 44 educational organisations for children aged 2-13, with 2,493 children assessed. Baseline studies established high rates of post-traumatic stress symptoms in children starting school post-earthquakes as compared to pre-earthquake rates in a comparable group of children. High PTS symptom rates continued during the early years of school. Beginning in 2016, an innovative set of strategies addressing neurobiological correlates of stress were implemented to improve children’s wellbeing in five schools over three years. Strateg

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