Impact of the Worst School Experiences in Students: A Retrospective Study on Trauma

• Published in: Paidéia cadernos de Psicologia e Educação 2015-12, Vol.25 (62), p.343-352
• Main Authors: Albuquerque, Paloma Pegolo de, Williams, Lucia C. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: Aggression; Alienation; Bullying; College Students; Depression (Psychology); Diagnostic Teaching; Educational Experience; Emotional disorders; Emotional Response; Grade 8; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Peer Relationship; Post traumatic stress disorder; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Psychiatry; Psychological Patterns; PSYCHOLOGY; PSYCHOLOGY, EDUCATIONAL; PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; Psychosomatic Disorders; Resistance (Psychology); School violence; transtorno por estrés postraumático; Trauma; trauma emocional; Victims of Crime; Violence; violencia escolar
• ISSN: 0103-863X; 1982-4327; 0103-863X; 1982-4327
• DOI: 10.1590/1982-43272562201508

AbstractThe literature indicates damage to students' mental health in cases of school violence. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the psychological impact of school victimization in university students, and to analyze the association between PTSD symptoms and variables related to school victimization. 691 University students responded to the Portuguese version of the Student Alienation and Trauma Survey (SATS). Clinically significant scores in the subscales ranged from 4.7% (somatic symptoms) to 20% (hypervigilance), with frequent symptoms described in the literature resulting from school victimization, such as depression, hopelessness, cognitive difficulties, and traumatic event recollection. Additionally, 7.8% of participants presented PTSD symptoms after suffering their "worst school experience". Associations were found between PTSD symptoms and the level of distress after the experience, as well as the perceived benefits after the event, and duration. The results confirm the potential detrimental effects of school victimization, and may be useful to further investigations on this topic. ResumenLa literatura indica que casos de violencia en el contexto escolar causan daños a la salud mental de los estudiantes. El objetivo de este estudio retrospectivo fue evaluar el impacto psicológico de la victimización escolar en estudiantes universitarios y analizar la asociación de los síntomas de TEPT con variables relacionadas a la victimización. Un total de 691 estudiantes universitarios respondieron a la Escala de Experiencias Traumáticas en los Estudiantes. Puntuaciones clínicamente significativas en las subescalas oscilaron entre el 4,7% (síntomas somáticos) y el 20% (hipervigilancia), y se encontraran síntomas frecuentes descritos en la literatura resultante de victimización, tales como: depresión, desesperanza, problemas cognitivos y recuerda excesiva del evento traumático. Además, el 7,8% tenía síntomas de TEPT un mes después de su peor experiencia escolar. Se encontraran asociaciones con los síntomas de TEPT y el malestar que se siente después de la experiencia; beneficios percibidos después del evento y su duración. Los resultados indican el potencial nocivo de las experiencias de victimización escolar y pueden contribuir a investigaciones futuras. ResumoA literatura indica a existência de danos para a saúde mental de estudantes em casos de violência no contexto escolar. O objetivo deste estudo retrospectivo foi avaliar o impacto psicol