| Abstract [eng] |
A large number of pre-school and primary school children are exposed to a range of potentially traumatic events, and some of them develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Developmentally sensitive instruments are needed to assess PTSD reactions in young children and to screen for signs of traumatization. The aim of the present study was to determine the associations between posttraumatic stress reactions and signs of trauma in structured play in children aged 4 - 8 years, and to investigate the characteristics of adult representations in structured play in risk and comparison groups. The participants were 42 children (22 girls and 20 boys) and their parents / guardians. The data of the children in the risk group (n = 22) was collected in institutions providing psychological support to children, while the data of the comparison group (n = 20) was collected in educational institutions. The children were interviewed using the OCTS instrument, and their parents or guardians completed the ITQ-CA/P questionnaire and the socio-demographic data questionnaire. The results showed that the risk group expressed more post-traumatic stress and avoidance reactions. The risk group also scored higher on the OCTS “Burnt hand” story, while the comparison group – on the “Stomach ache” story. Representations of adult rejection in structured play only emerged in the risk group. No associations between demographic characteristics and trauma signs in structured play and adult representations were found in the present study sample. |
