Reducing the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder in children following natural disasters


Autoria(s): Mohay, Heather A.; Forbes, Nicole
Data(s)

2009

Resumo

A significant number of children suffer long term psychological disturbance following exposure to a natural disaster. Evidence suggests that a dose-response relationship exists, so that children and adolescents who experience the most intense or extensive exposure to the risk factors for PTSD are likely to develop the most serious and persistent symptoms. Risk factors include gender, age, personality, extent of exposure to the natural disaster, amount of damage to property and infrastructure, witnessing injury or death of others or perceiving a threat to their own life. Knowing these factors enables various strategies to be put in place to decrease the risk of psychological disturbance following the aftermath of traumatic events. Re-establishing a sense of safety, security and normality is important in the aftermath of a natural disaster, and promoting social connectedness, positive family functioning, and effective coping mechanisms can make children more resilient in the face of catastrophic events. This paper examines the risk and protective factors associated with the development of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and considers how schools can use this knowledge to contribute to the recovery effort, and reduce the prevalence of PTSD amongst pupils in the wake of a natural disaster.

Formato

application/pdf

Identificador

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/31062/

Publicador

Australian Academic Press Pty. Ltd.

Relação

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/31062/1/c31062.pdf

http://www.atypon-link.com/AAP/toc/ajgc/19/2

Mohay, Heather A. & Forbes, Nicole (2009) Reducing the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder in children following natural disasters. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 19(2), pp. 179-195.

Direitos

Copyright 2009 Australian Academic Press Pty. Ltd.

Fonte

Faculty of Health; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; School of Psychology & Counselling

Palavras-Chave #111712 Health Promotion #170106 Health Clinical and Counselling Psychology #Natural Disasters #Posttraumatic Stress Disorder #Children #Risk Factors #School Responses
Tipo

Journal Article