International Adoption of Children Surviving the Haitian Earthquake. (23rd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pascal, Julie; Décombas-Marion, Marion; Poirier, Véronique; Lautrette, Alexandre; Rigal, Emilie; Sciauvaud, Julie; Pereira, Bruno; Labbe, André; Lesens, Olivier
• Is Part Of: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Volume 12:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 450
• Page End: 454
• Publication Date: 2017-10-23
• Subjects: adoptee, -- earthquake, -- post-traumatic stress disorder, -- Haiti; Disaster medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Planning -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2017.109
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-7893

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate resilience and frequency of behavioral symptoms in Haitian children internationally adopted before and after the earthquake of January 12, 2010. Methods: We conducted a retrospective quantitative study in 40 Haitian children. Families were also asked to participate in a qualitative study (individual interview at 18-24 months after the earthquake) and to complete State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and STAI for children (STAI-C) questionnaires. Results: Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in the group who experienced the earthquake (n=22) and in the group who did not (n=18). The families of 30 adoptees were interviewed. There was no statistical difference between the two groups for the STAI ( P =0.53) and STAI-C ( P =0.75) or for the frequency of behavioral problems. Plenary adoption was pronounced for 84.6% and 33.3% of the children adopted in the pre- and post-earthquake group, respectively ( P =0.02). Children rarely talked about the experience of the earthquake, which, by contrast, was a stressful experience for the adoptive families. Conclusions: Haitian children adopted after the earthquake did not express more stress or behavioral problems than those adopted before it. However, the possibility of a resurgence of mental disorders after age 10 should be borne in mind. ( Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness . 2018;12:450–454)