Situational exposure and personal loss in children's acute and chronic stress reactions to a school bus disaster

Questionnaire data were obtained on seventh grade children a week after a catastrophic school bus accident, and 9 months later. Both acute and chronic stress reactions were more related to prior friendship with victims than to exposure to accident-related stressors. In fact, the effect of differential exposure on stress reactions in this particular accident was found to be nil, when the effect of prior friendship was controlled. The incidence of moderate and severe stress reactions was high in the initial acute phase and decreased markedly by 9 months. The professional help received and interest in future help were related to personal loss and to the extent of stress reactions both after 1 week and 9 months. Implications for disaster intervention were drawn.