Affiliation:
1. Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies Oslo Norway
2. Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
3. Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Eastern and Southern Norway Oslo Norway
4. UiT The Artic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
5. Research and Communication Unit for Musculoskeletal Health (FORMI), Division of Clinical Neuroscience Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
Abstract
AbstractTerror exposure increases the risk of somatic and psychological health problems in survivors. Yet, knowledge of how such exposure affects survivors’ ability to stay in school is lacking. This study examined whether exposure to the 2011 Utøya terrorist attack in Norway impacted survivors’ ability to complete high school. Further, it aimed to identify important peri‐ and posttraumatic risk and protective factors. Interview data from the Utøya study, collected 4–5 months postterror, were linked to individual educational registry data for 265 survivors. Chi‐square tests and ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to examine (a) high school completion among younger survivors (n = 185, age range: 13–18 years, 52.4% female) compared to both older survivors (i.e., who had the possibility of completing high school before the terror attacks; n = 80, age range: 19–21 years, 40.0% female) and the national average and (b) associations between high school completion and physical injury, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), somatic symptoms, and social support among younger survivors. Younger survivors were significantly less likely to complete high school on time. Among younger adolescents, physical injury, aOR = 0.36, 95% CI [0.16, 0.81]; higher‐level PTSS, aOR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.33, 0.88]; and somatic symptoms, aOR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.29, 0.91], lowered the likelihood of on‐time completion. Terror exposure in adolescence adversely affects long‐term educational functioning in young survivors, which can severely hamper their future prospects. These findings reinforce the need for trauma‐sensitive teaching and educator‐provided support for adolescents exposed to trauma.
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health,Clinical Psychology