Child, Adolescent, and Adult Victims of Residential Fire

Abstract

Behavior of children, adolescents, and adults during and after a residential fire was objectively assessed. Antecedents, behaviors, and consequences of the nighttime residential fire immediately and 1 month following the fire were obtained. Also, the extent of agreement between children/adolescent and adult functioning was determined. Eight children and adolescents and 12 adults were individually interviewed. Results showed that individuals' reactions to residential fire could be assessed, and several PTSD-related symptoms were expressed. A follow-up study in which 25 adolescent boys whose dormitory had been totally destroyed by fire were compared to 13 boys who had not experienced the fire showed similar findings. These findings add to the dearth of literature concerning children and adolescents in fire-related disasters.