Skip to main content
Log in

Baseline assessment of children traumatized by the Armenian earthquake

  • Articles
  • Published:
Child Psychiatry and Human Development Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Assessed at baseline for longitudinal study is the impact of the Armenian earthquake on children screened through the Children's Psychotherapy Center in Kirovakan, Armenia. The earthquake caused close to 25,000 deaths, almost two thirds of which were children and adolescents. Examined herein are memory functioning and clinical data collected on a baseline level which provides a better understanding of both diagnostic indicators and trauma processing in child survivors of the Armenian earthquake. Current theory related to processing of trauma in children is reviewed as are recommendations for further research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Miller TW: Stress adaptation in children: Theoretical models.J of Contemp Psychotherapy, Vol. 25, No. 1, 5–14, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  2. American Psychiatric Association.Diag and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Washington, D.C.: Author, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Sugar M: Toddlers' traumatic memories.Infant Mntl Hlth J, 13(3):245–251, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Usher JN A, Neisser U: Childhood amnesia and the beginnings of memory for four early life events.J Experimental Psychology: General, 122(2):155–165, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Frederickson R:Repressed memories: A journey to recovery from sexual abuse. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Miller TW, Veltkamp LJ: Effects of multigenerational sexual abuse in rural America.Intl J of Family Psychiat, 9(3):259–275, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Loftus EF: The repressed memory controversy.Am Psychologist, 49:443–445, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fivush R, Gray TJ, Fromhoff FA: Two-year-olds talk about the past.Cognitive Develpm. 2:393–409, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Pynoos RS, Eth S: The child as witness to homicide.J. Social Issues, 40(2):87–108, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Sugar M: Children and multiple trauma in a disaster. In: E.J. Anthony, & C. Chiland (Eds.),The Child in His Family, New York: Wiley, (pp. 429–442), 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fivush R, Hamond N: Autobiographical memory across the preschool years: Toward reconceptualizing childhood amnesia. In: R. Fivush, & Hudson, J.A. (Eds.),Knowing and remembering in young children Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, (pp. 223–248), 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Horowitz M: Assessment of stressful life events. In: Goldberger, L. and Breznits, S. (Eds.)Handbook of Stress (2nd Edition) New York: Free Press, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Miller TW, Veltkamp LJ: Effects of child sexual abuse: The adult non-survivor.J of the KY Medical Assoc, 87(1):120–124, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Terr L: What happened to early memories of trauma? A study of twenty children under age five at the time of documented traumatic events.J of Am Acad Child and Adolescent Psychiat, 27(1):96–106, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Piaget T:Play dreams and imitation in childhood. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul Publishers, 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Green B: Defining Trauma: Terminology and generic stress dimensions.J of Applied Social Psychology. Vol. 20, 1632–1642, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Miller TW, Kraus RF: Theoretical models of stress adaptation. In: Miller, T.W. (Ed.)Theory and Assessment of Stressful Life Events. Madison, CT.: International Universities Press Inc., 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Azarian AG, Skriptchenko-Gregorian VG: Traumatization and stress in children and adolescents of natural disasters. In: Thomas W. Miller (Ed.),Children of Traumas: Stressful Life Events and Their Effects on Children and Adolescents. Madison, CT: International Universities Press, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Veltkamp LJ, Miller TW, Kearl GW, Barlow-Elliott L, Bright K: Interdisciplinary treatment of abuse families in Kentucky.J of the KY Med Assoc, 90:232–239, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Terr L:Unchained Memories: True stories of traumatic memories lost and found. New York: Basic Books, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Azarian AG, Skriptchenko-Gregorian VG: Natural disasters result in multifaceted PTSD that demand a complex approach to treatment.Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, 8(11): Special Supplement, 1992.

  22. Azarian AG, Skriptchenko-Gregorian VG, Miller WT, Kraus RF: Childhood trauma in victims of the Armenian earthquake.J. Contemp Psychotherapy, 24(2):77–85, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Terr L: Childhood traumas: An outline and overview.Am J Psychiat, 148:10–20, 1991.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Miller TW: Post-traumatic stress disorder: An update.Directions in Mntl Hlth Counseling 5(4): 3–18, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Miller TW, Kraus KF: Natural disaster: Psychological issues and clinical response.Integrative Psychiatry 10(3), 481–491, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This project is made possible by grants from the Center for the Study of Human Development, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, and from the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) with funds provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the United States Department of State.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Azarian, A., Miller, T.W. & Skriptchenko-Gregorian, V. Baseline assessment of children traumatized by the Armenian earthquake. Child Psych Hum Dev 27, 29–41 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02353444

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02353444

Key Words

Navigation