Predictors of post-traumatic stress symptoms in Oklahoma City: Exposure, social support, peri-traumatic responses

Eighty-five adults seeking mental health assistance six months after the Ok lahoma City bombing were assessed to determine which of three groups of var iables (exposure, peri-traumatic responses, and social support) predicted d evelopment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Variables mos t highly associated with subsequent PTSD symptoms included having been inju red (among exposure variables), feeling nervous or afraid (peri-traumatic r esponses), and responding that counseling helped (support variables). Combi ning primary predictors in the three areas, PTSD symptoms were more likely to occur in those reporting counseling to help and those feeling nervous or afraid at the time of the bombing. Implications of these findings are disc ussed for behavioral health administrators and clinicians planning service delivery to groups of victims seeking mental health intervention after terr orist attacks and other disasters.