Gender Differences in Adolescents' Reactions to the Murder of Their Teacher

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Abstract
One month following the murder of their teacher, 63 adolescents responded to a questionnaire concerning different aspects of the event. Those adolescents who learned about the murderfrom siblings andfriends reported sufferingfrom more intrusive images and depressive thoughts than those adolescents who learned about the event from parents. Girls reported reacting more strongly and talking more with both theirfriends and their parents about the event than did boys. Differing explanations regarding the observed gender differences are suggested Correlations in the data indicate that those students who reported being the most depressed and anxious were those who talked with their friends about the event. Talking with one's parents was associated with less depressive thinking and less avoidance.