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Hurricane Hugo blows down the broccoli: Preschoolers' post-disaster play and adjustment

Child Psychiatry and Human Development volume 22, pages 139–149 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

This article reports highlights from over 200 parents' observations of their preschoolers' play and verbalizations in the year following Hurricane Hugo. Commonly reported activities included reenactment and discussion of the event in multiple mediums, personification of “Hugo”, and expression of fears related to storms. Precocious concern for others, insight, and vocabulary were also noted. In these intact, relatively high functioning families, parents seemed able to facilitate their youngsters' adjustment without outside intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina, USA

    Conway F. Saylor PhD & Cynthia Cupit Swenson Ph.D.

  2. Texas A & M University, Texas, USA

    Paige Powell Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Conway F. Saylor PhD
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  2. Cynthia Cupit Swenson Ph.D.
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  3. Paige Powell Ph.D.
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Saylor, C.F., Swenson, C.C. & Powell, P. Hurricane Hugo blows down the broccoli: Preschoolers' post-disaster play and adjustment. Child Psych Hum Dev 22, 139–149 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00705888

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00705888

Key words

  • Hurricane
  • preschool
  • post-traumatic play
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder