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Chronic exposure to catastrophic experiences and terrorism: Links to children's future state of mind and functioning |
MENA Dubai 2003 Abstract
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Avi-Sagi Schwartz
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Chronic exposure to catastrophic experiences and terrorism: Links to children's future state of mind and functioning Avi-Sagi Schwartz The effects of severe traumatic experiences on children's state of mind and functioning will be discussed in the context of short term experiences versus long exposure to catastrophic events and adversities as they relate to children who live in war zones and violent communities throughout the world as well as in Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The discussion will focus on the role of risk and protective factors in determining the debilitating and damaging effects of chronic catastrophic experiences on the future well being of children, and the extent to which such children may themselves become a source of threat to our society, in light of their likelihood to exhibit heightened aggression, violence, and revenge seeking.
It will be shown that children can be outstandingly resilient in their capacity to tolerate even very overwhelming adversities, when such experiences are short lived. At the same time prolonged and chronic exposure to traumas and catastrophic events may leave scars that will attract such children to violent groups as a mean for dealing with disputes and conflicts. Growing under chronic danger, without adequate social support systems, may be developmentally harmful to children who are likely to perceive themselves as unworthy, the adults around them as non-trustful, and the various social institutions as threatening and unsafe. |
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