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Children exposed to warfare: a longitudinal study
Atle Dyregrov1, Rolf Gjestad, Magne Raundalen
1Center for Crisis Psychology, Bergen, Norway.
Journal of Traumatic Stress
|April 9, 2002
Summary
Children exposed to the 1991 Gulf War bombing trauma showed persistent sadness and fear of loss. While some post-traumatic stress reactions lessened over two years, symptoms remained significant.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Child Development
Background:
- The 1991 Gulf War resulted in significant civilian casualties and trauma.
- Children in conflict zones are particularly vulnerable to long-term psychological effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term psychological impact of war trauma on children.
- To evaluate the persistence and changes in post-traumatic stress reactions over time.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 94 Iraqi children exposed to a specific bombing event.
- Utilized interviews and the Impact of Event Scale (IES) at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years post-war.
Main Results:
- Children reported ongoing sadness and fear of family loss.
- Intrusive and avoidance reactions showed no significant decrease from 6 months to 1 year.
- A reduction in reactions was observed at 2 years, but scores remained elevated, indicating persistent symptoms.
Conclusions:
- War trauma has lasting psychological effects on children.
- Post-traumatic stress reactions can persist for years, even with diminished intensity.
- Continued monitoring and support are crucial for children affected by war.