Children Held Hostage: Mothers' Depressive Affect and Perceptions of Family Psychosocial Functioning

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to learn more about how strain, family coping, and family hardiness were related to depressive affect among mothers of children who were held hostage by two gunmen in a private church-sponsored elementary school. Using a questionnaire procedure to collect data, relationships between mothers' depressive affect (measured 2 weeks and again 4 months after the episode) and perceived strain resulting from the hostage incident, family hardiness, and family coping were assessed. In addition, 1 year following the episode, mothers were asked to provide qualitative data concerning useful coping strategies and perceptions of the long-term impact of the event. Results indicated that family hardiness and coping may have played a more important role in relation to depressive affect measured at 4 months than for initial responses, whereas feelings of strain specifically related to the hostage incident may have been more important in relation to initial depressive affect. Perceived control (as a dimension of family hardiness) along with the use of social support and spiritual support were particularly important for positive outcomes. In addition, mothers who were more depressed initially reported more negative long-term outcomes.