Prevalence and Impact of Trauma in a Diverse Head Start Sample

Authors

  • Marla Pfenninger Saint Gilles Michigan State University
  • John Carlson Michigan State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55370/hsdialog.v18i1.178

Keywords:

Head Start Trauma, Head Start, Preschool Trauma, Trauma Impact, Trauma Prevalence, Young Child Trauma

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence and nature of traumatic events experienced by an ethnically diverse sample of Head Start preschoolers (ages 3-5), as rated by their caregivers (N=66), and how experiencing trauma varies by ethnicity.  Traumatic impact as influenced by age at the event, number of events experienced (polyvictimization), and frequency of experiencing events is discussed.  Eighty-five percent of children had experienced trauma.  There were no ethnic differences in trauma prevalence.  Caregivers rated traumatic impact as more severe for children who had experienced multiple types of events and for those who experienced traumatic events more frequently.  Intervention implications are discussed.

 

Author Biographies

Marla Pfenninger Saint Gilles, Michigan State University

School Psychology Program, Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Education

John Carlson, Michigan State University

School Psychology Program, Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Education

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Published

2015-07-28

Issue

Section

Research Articles