Posttraumatic reactions among injured children and their caregivers 3 months after the terrorist attack in Beslan

This report describes symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a group of Beslan’s children (N =22) and their primary caregivers (N =20) 3 months after the children had been taken hostage in their school by a group of terrorists. Attention and memory were also measured. Children and their caretakers showed high levels of ongoing PTSD symptoms. Children also showed difficulties in sustaining attention and in short-term memory (digit span). These scores strongly indicate the need for appropriate interventions and ongoing monitoring of course of recovery.