Memories of traumatic events in childhood fade after experiencing similar less stressful events: Results from two natural experiments.

Abstract

The long-term stability of youth reports of traumatic events is largely unknown. Translational animal research suggests that there may be an alteration of memories for traumatic events via memory reconsolidation processes, whereas clinical research suggests memory alteration may occur through augmentation by negative emotions. In this report, 2 natural experiments test reconsolidation model and augmentation model predictions about the course of traumatic memories in youth. Data are from 2 prospective studies that assessed reports of an initial traumatic event (Hurricane Katrina) and tested recall both pre and post a similar event (Hurricane Gustav). In the 1st (Sample 1; n = 94, initial Grade 9 followed to 11), youth were assessed at 4 time points: Times 1-3 were 13, 20, and 26 months post-Katrina and then Time 4 was 5 months post-Hurricane Gustav. In the 2nd (Sample 2; n = 141, Grades 4 through 8), youth were assessed at 12 months pre-Gustav (Time 1; 24 months post-Katrina) and then again at 1 month (Time 2) and 8 months (Time 3) post-Gustav. Those with relatively high Gustav exposure showed more stability in their reports of Katrina exposure events, whereas in those with low Gustav exposure, reports of Katrina events decreased. Time spans between recall, age, gender, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, or cognitive/learning ability did not explain changes in the reports. The study provides the 1st long-term data on the consistency of youth reports of disaster-related experiences and provides initial evidence for the ecological validity of memory reconsolidation theory applied to traumatic events in youth.

Long-Term Mental Health Among Low-Income, Minority Women Following Exposure to Multiple Natural Disasters in Early and Late Adolescence Compared to Adulthood

“…While cumulatively increased exposure to damage and illness increased poor mental health outcomes, age at first disaster remained protective. A possible explanation for this is that early initial exposure may better equip a person for coping during later disasters, leading to reduced long-term effects, especially when later disasters are perceived as being less severe than earlier exposures (Harville et al 2011; Weems et al 2014). …”

“…Likewise, since the data was collected years after the disasters, it cannot be ascertained whether reported exposures were influenced by the respondent’s mental health at the time of the interview, although age at the time of the interview would not be subject to reporting bias. In spite of this, a study among youth exposed to Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav found relatively high stability in reports of exposure to Katrina years following the disaster among children who had high Gustav exposure, whereas reports decreased among those with low Gustav exposure (Weems et al 2014). Thus, it is thought that reports of exposure should be fairly accurate overall, and, if anything, may be underreported among participants who had less stressful experiences in later disasters.…”

“…The effect of repeated exposure to natural disasters has received little attention in the natural disaster literature (Harville et al 2011), though existing studies of trauma in general suggest that exposure to several traumatic events is associated with poorer mental health outcomes, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Brewin et al 2000; Green et al 2000; Ozer et al 2003). Recent studies of exposure to multiple hurricanes suggest that subsequent exposure to a similar, less stressful event may confer some level of resilience following exposure, though multiple experiences with disaster remained associated with worse mental health overall (Harville et al 2011; Weems et al 2014). Given this, the population of Southeastern Louisiana appears to offer a unique opportunity to study the potential effects of exposure to multiple natural disasters within a short period of time.…”

Neural Reactivity to Emotional Stimuli Prospectively Predicts the Impact of a Natural Disaster on Psychiatric Symptoms in Children

“…The items were drawn from questionnaires administered in studies of Hurricane Ike (48) and Hurricane Katrina (49). Reports of hurricane-related experiences have previously been demonstrated to be stable across time (50). Eight items (life disrupted by hurricane, children fearing for safety, difficulty finding food or warmth, difficulty finding gasoline, children complaining more than usual, damage to home or possessions, family’s safety threatened, and financial hardship) were rated on a 5-point scale (1 = not at all affected; 5 = extremely affected).…”

A Lighter Shade of Trauma

“…This set of studies may provide a highly simplified but valid laboratory model of real-life traumatic events such as Hurricane Katrina (Figure 1). Based on the reconsolidation theory, Weems et al (1) predicted that exposure to a milder hurricane would alleviate the negative consequences of Hurricane Katrina. As expected, they found that youth with high exposure to Hurricane Katrina but low exposure to Hurricane Gustav retrieved fewer Katrina-related negative memories (1) and exhibited reduced posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (2).…”