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The aftermath of violence: children, disaster, and posttraumatic stress disorder
Tener Goodwin Veenema1, Kathryn Schroeder-Bruce
1Center For High-Risk Children & Youth, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Department of Emergency Medicine, NY 14642, USA. Tener_Veenema@urmc.rochester.edu
Insights
Children are uniquely vulnerable to disasters, facing emotional distress and potentially developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Early support is crucial for helping them cope and feel safe after traumatic events.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Disaster Mental Health
Background:
- Catastrophic events like disasters and conflicts significantly impact emotional well-being.
- Children's developmental stage makes them particularly susceptible to the psychological effects of trauma.
- Establishing a sense of safety is paramount for children following tragic incidents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the heightened vulnerability of children to disaster-related trauma.
- To define posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the context of childhood exposure to extreme events.
- To underscore the critical need for interventions supporting children's coping mechanisms and safety.
Main Methods:
- This abstract is based on a review of existing literature on childhood trauma and disaster psychology.
- It synthesizes information regarding the definition and symptoms of pediatric PTSD.
- The text emphasizes the psychological impact of various traumatic scenarios on children.
Main Results:
- Children exhibit increased emotional vulnerability during and after catastrophic events.
- Exposure to or witnessing extreme trauma can lead to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children.
- Symptoms of PTSD in children include intense fear, behavioral disturbances, emotional numbing, anxiety, and depression.
Conclusions:
- Children require specialized support to navigate the emotional aftermath of disasters.
- Recognizing and addressing PTSD symptoms in children exposed to trauma is essential for recovery.
- Interventions should focus on restoring a sense of security and promoting adaptive coping strategies in affected children.
Abstract:
Terrorist attacks, situations of armed conflict, and all forms of catastrophe tax our abilities to cope, understand, and respond. Because of their developmental status, children are even more emotionally vulnerable to the devastating effects of a disaster. When tragedy strikes a family, community, or the nation, helping children cope and regain a sense of safety is critical. A child with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops symptoms such as intense fear, disorganized and agitated behavior, emotional numbness, anxiety, or depression after being directly exposed to or witnessing an extreme traumatic situation involving threatened death or serious injury. Victims of repeated abuse or children who live in violent neighborhoods or war zones, or who have witnessed extensive media coverage of violent events, may experience PTSD.