PDLSPDLS©©: Psychosocial : Psychosocial Issues of Children and Issues of Children and Families in DisastersFamilies in Disasters

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Review normal psychosocial issues in children.Review normal psychosocial issues in children.

Review reactions of children and adolescents to Review reactions of children and adolescents to disasters.disasters.

Focus on how the healthcare provider may prepare, Focus on how the healthcare provider may prepare, assess, and treat children and families in disasters.assess, and treat children and families in disasters.

Prepare the healthcare provider to assess and address Prepare the healthcare provider to assess and address community needs.community needs.

Address specific problems and provide recommendations Address specific problems and provide recommendations for disaster assistance in the psychosocial sphere.for disaster assistance in the psychosocial sphere.

It is impossible to separate the effects of It is impossible to separate the effects of disasters on children and their families disasters on children and their families and the two should be considered as a and the two should be considered as a unit.unit.

Case ReportCase Report

A theater filled with children in 1953 was hit by a tornado. A A theater filled with children in 1953 was hit by a tornado. A total of 169 children ranging in ages 2 to 15 were involved.total of 169 children ranging in ages 2 to 15 were involved.

The children were evaluated with respect to emotional The children were evaluated with respect to emotional disturbances: disturbances:

NoneNone 113113MildMild 3232SevereSevere 2424

A startling total of 30% of the children involved in this A startling total of 30% of the children involved in this catastrophe had mild to severe emotional disturbances catastrophe had mild to severe emotional disturbances following the incident.following the incident.

The following events are of the greatest The following events are of the greatest significance with respect to children significance with respect to children and their families in a disaster.and their families in a disaster.

1.1. Death or physical injury to a family member.Death or physical injury to a family member.

2.2. A loss of home or possessions.A loss of home or possessions.

3.3. Relocation (school changes).Relocation (school changes).

4.4. Job loss.Job loss.

5.5. Parental disorganization or dysfunction. Parental disorganization or dysfunction.

Factors Affecting ResponsesFactors Affecting Responses

Perceived or actual life threat.Perceived or actual life threat.

Duration of life disruption.Duration of life disruption.

Familial and personal property loss.Familial and personal property loss.

Parental reactions and extent of family disruption.Parental reactions and extent of family disruption.

Child’s predisaster state.Child’s predisaster state.

Probability of recurrence.Probability of recurrence.

Preexisting Risk FactorsPreexisting Risk Factors

Previous physical and/or psychosocial pathology Previous physical and/or psychosocial pathology in a child or family member.in a child or family member.

Dysfunctional families secondary to alcohol or Dysfunctional families secondary to alcohol or drug abuse.drug abuse.

Children with developmental or physical Children with developmental or physical disabilities.disabilities.

Newborns who are in the early stages of bonding.Newborns who are in the early stages of bonding.

Cultural, Religious and Ethnic Cultural, Religious and Ethnic ConsiderationsConsiderations

Outreach by leaders of different cultural groups is Outreach by leaders of different cultural groups is essential in all phases.essential in all phases.

Information regarding available services should be Information regarding available services should be provided in all languages appropriate to the provided in all languages appropriate to the community.community.

Distribution of such information should be through Distribution of such information should be through church and community groups.church and community groups.

Religion (churches, synagogues and clergy) becomes Religion (churches, synagogues and clergy) becomes extremely active in the recovery of the community extremely active in the recovery of the community during and after a disaster.during and after a disaster.

Early Vs. Late Effects Early Vs. Late Effects of Disaster in Children of Disaster in Children and Adolescentsand Adolescents

The Three StagesThe Three Stages

First StageFirst Stage

Time Time During and immediately after a disasterDuring and immediately after a disaster

ReactionReaction Disbelief, denial, anxiety, relief, grief, altruismDisbelief, denial, anxiety, relief, grief, altruism

Second StageSecond Stage

TimeTime A few days to several weeks after disasterA few days to several weeks after disaster

ReactionReaction Clinging, appetite, changes, regressive Clinging, appetite, changes, regressive

symptoms, somatic complaints, sleep symptoms, somatic complaints, sleep disturbances, apathy, depression, anger, and disturbances, apathy, depression, anger, and hostile delinquent actshostile delinquent acts

Third StageThird Stage

TimeTime Months laterMonths later

ReactionReaction ReconstructionReconstruction

Somatic SymptomsSomatic Symptoms

These include headaches, abdominal pain, and These include headaches, abdominal pain, and chest pain and are commonly observed in children chest pain and are commonly observed in children and adolescents.and adolescents.

Reassurance by the healthcare worker can be of Reassurance by the healthcare worker can be of help after evaluation.help after evaluation.

Counseling and mental health intervention may be Counseling and mental health intervention may be necessarynecessary for the victims as well as the for the victims as well as the Healthcare workersHealthcare workers..

Regressive BehaviorRegressive Behavior

Separation anxiety symptoms which include enuresis, Separation anxiety symptoms which include enuresis, encopresis, thumb-sucking, loss of acquired speech, encopresis, thumb-sucking, loss of acquired speech, whining, and fear of darkness are commonly seen in children whining, and fear of darkness are commonly seen in children or toddlers. These are short-lived behaviors following a or toddlers. These are short-lived behaviors following a disaster.disaster.

The Healthcare worker should be reassured of this so that The Healthcare worker should be reassured of this so that punishment and shame are avoided.punishment and shame are avoided.

In older children and adolescents, regression takes the form In older children and adolescents, regression takes the form of competing for parental attention and a decline in of competing for parental attention and a decline in previously responsible behaviors. Extreme dependency and previously responsible behaviors. Extreme dependency and transient confusion can occur.transient confusion can occur.

Regressive Behavior (continued)Regressive Behavior (continued)

Parents should be reassured that this behavior is common Parents should be reassured that this behavior is common and short-lived. If the above symptoms persist more than a and short-lived. If the above symptoms persist more than a few weeks family and child counseling is advised.few weeks family and child counseling is advised.

The return of stability in the routine of the home as well as The return of stability in the routine of the home as well as the passage of time rectify the problem.the passage of time rectify the problem.

Aggressive/Defiant BehaviorAggressive/Defiant Behavior

Toddlers and preschoolers may exhibit hostile Toddlers and preschoolers may exhibit hostile behaviors such as hitting and biting.behaviors such as hitting and biting.

School age children may get involved in peer fights.School age children may get involved in peer fights.

Adolescence may become delinquent or rebellious.Adolescence may become delinquent or rebellious.

Aggressive/Defiant Behavior Aggressive/Defiant Behavior (continued)(continued)

Recommendations Recommendations

For the younger child, limit setting may be of help.For the younger child, limit setting may be of help.

With adolescents, involving them in the rebuilding With adolescents, involving them in the rebuilding of the community or helping with younger children of the community or helping with younger children or elderly may aid recovery.or elderly may aid recovery.

Repetitious BehaviorRepetitious Behavior

Most commonly seen in toddlers and preschoolers Most commonly seen in toddlers and preschoolers after disaster.after disaster.

These children will reenact crucial details of the These children will reenact crucial details of the disaster.disaster.

Other repetitive behaviors are recurrent nightmares Other repetitive behaviors are recurrent nightmares and frequent flashbacks.and frequent flashbacks.

The Healthcare worker should allow the child or The Healthcare worker should allow the child or preschooler to reenact the events as these are preschooler to reenact the events as these are therapeutic and can help in recovery.therapeutic and can help in recovery.

AnxietyAnxiety

Anxiety occurs in all age groups.Anxiety occurs in all age groups.

The Healthcare worker should not dismiss or The Healthcare worker should not dismiss or minimize the expression of anxiety.minimize the expression of anxiety.

One should discuss with the child or adolescent One should discuss with the child or adolescent their fears and anxieties.their fears and anxieties.

Family counseling can be a benefit. Family counseling can be a benefit.

DepressionDepression

A sense of sadness which is not the same as depression is A sense of sadness which is not the same as depression is common after disaster.common after disaster.

Sadness is to be expected. If depression is present and Sadness is to be expected. If depression is present and persistent psychiatric intervention is warranted.persistent psychiatric intervention is warranted.

This may be manifested by adolescents with suicidal This may be manifested by adolescents with suicidal thoughts and teenagers expressing helplessness, thoughts and teenagers expressing helplessness, hopelessness and suicidal ideation.hopelessness and suicidal ideation.

The Healthcare worker should alert parents to signs of The Healthcare worker should alert parents to signs of depression such as decreased appetite, sleep disturbance, depression such as decreased appetite, sleep disturbance, constant sadness and irritability.constant sadness and irritability.

GuiltGuilt Children and teenagers may feel guilty for surviving or having their Children and teenagers may feel guilty for surviving or having their

families and homes intact.families and homes intact.

They feel helpless.They feel helpless.

Young children may experience “magical thinking” in that they feel Young children may experience “magical thinking” in that they feel they are responsible for the disaster because of something “bad” they they are responsible for the disaster because of something “bad” they did.did.

If Litigation is involved, the trauma may persist resulting in If Litigation is involved, the trauma may persist resulting in disillusionment.disillusionment.

The Healthcare worker can be of assistance by reassuring the The Healthcare worker can be of assistance by reassuring the children and adolescents that they were not at fault.children and adolescents that they were not at fault.

Assignment of blame is counter productive to rebuilding lives, families Assignment of blame is counter productive to rebuilding lives, families and communities.and communities.

Posttraumatic Stress DisorderPosttraumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been a term used in children and adults following a term used in children and adults following traumatic events and disasters.traumatic events and disasters.

Few children develop the full disorder and they Few children develop the full disorder and they may have a delayed onset.may have a delayed onset.

This includes anxiety, depression and conduct This includes anxiety, depression and conduct disorders.disorders.

Some children display the symptoms only Some children display the symptoms only during the immediate post disaster period. during the immediate post disaster period.

The diagnosis of PTSD has the following The diagnosis of PTSD has the following criteria in three major categories persisting criteria in three major categories persisting for more than one month.for more than one month.

Reexperiencing of the event through play or Reexperiencing of the event through play or trauma specific nightmares.trauma specific nightmares.

Routine avoidance of the reminders of the event Routine avoidance of the reminders of the event or a general lack of responsiveness.or a general lack of responsiveness.

Increased sleep disturbances, irritability and poor Increased sleep disturbances, irritability and poor concentration.concentration.

The Five Primary Responses of The Five Primary Responses of Children and Adolescents to DisastersChildren and Adolescents to Disasters

1.1. Increased dependency on parents or guardians.Increased dependency on parents or guardians.

2.2. NightmaresNightmares

3.3. Regression in developmental achievements.Regression in developmental achievements.

4.4. Specific fears about reminders of the disaster Specific fears about reminders of the disaster (e.g., a toy airplane if the child was in an airplane (e.g., a toy airplane if the child was in an airplane crash).crash).

5.5. Demonstration of the disaster via post-traumatic Demonstration of the disaster via post-traumatic play and reenactments.play and reenactments.

Specific Responses of Toddlers and Specific Responses of Toddlers and Preschoolers to DisastersPreschoolers to Disasters

Reaction reflects that of parentsReaction reflects that of parents

Regressive behaviorsRegressive behaviors

Decreased appetiteDecreased appetite

Vomiting, constipation, diarrheaVomiting, constipation, diarrhea

Sleep disorders (insomnia, nightmares)Sleep disorders (insomnia, nightmares)

Tics, stuttering, mutenessTics, stuttering, muteness

Specific Responses of Toddlers and Specific Responses of Toddlers and Preschoolers to Disasters (continued)Preschoolers to Disasters (continued)

ClingingClinging

Reenactment via playReenactment via play

Exaggerated startle response Exaggerated startle response

IrritabilityIrritability

Posttraumatic stress disorderPosttraumatic stress disorder

Specific Responses of School Age Specific Responses of School Age Children to DisastersChildren to Disasters

Most marked reactionMost marked reaction

Fear, anxietyFear, anxiety

Increased hostility with siblingsIncreased hostility with siblings

Somatic complaintsSomatic complaints

Sleep disordersSleep disorders

School problemsSchool problems

Specific Responses of School Age Specific Responses of School Age Children to Disasters (continued)Children to Disasters (continued)

Social withdrawalSocial withdrawal

Reenactment via playReenactment via play

ApathyApathy

Posttraumatic stress disorderPosttraumatic stress disorder

Decreased interest in peers, hobbies, schoolDecreased interest in peers, hobbies, school

Specific Responses of Preadolescents Specific Responses of Preadolescents to Disastersto Disasters

Increased hostility with sibsIncreased hostility with sibs

Somatic complaintsSomatic complaints

Eating disordersEating disorders

Sleep disordersSleep disorders

Decreased interest in peers, hobbies, schoolDecreased interest in peers, hobbies, school

Specific Responses of Preadolescents Specific Responses of Preadolescents to Disasters (continued)to Disasters (continued)

RebellionRebellion

Refusal to do choresRefusal to do chores

Interpersonal difficultiesInterpersonal difficulties

Post-traumatic stress disorderPost-traumatic stress disorder

Specific Responses of Adolescents to Specific Responses of Adolescents to DisastersDisasters

Decreased interest in social activities, peers, Decreased interest in social activities, peers, hobbies, schoolhobbies, school

Anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure)Anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure)

Decline in responsible behaviorsDecline in responsible behaviors

Rebellion, behavior problemsRebellion, behavior problems

Somatic complaintsSomatic complaints

Sleep disordersSleep disorders

Specific Responses of Adolescents to Specific Responses of Adolescents to Disasters (continued)Disasters (continued)

Eating disordersEating disorders

Change in physical activityChange in physical activity

ConfusionConfusion

Lack of concentrationLack of concentration

Risk-taking behaviorsRisk-taking behaviors

Specific Problems and Specific Problems and RecommendationsRecommendations

Differences by genderDifferences by gender

Responses vary by gender. Boys take Responses vary by gender. Boys take longer to recover and exhibit aggressive, longer to recover and exhibit aggressive, antisocial and violent behaviors.antisocial and violent behaviors.

Girls are more distressed, have more verbal Girls are more distressed, have more verbal emotions, ask more questions and have emotions, ask more questions and have more frequent thoughts concerning the more frequent thoughts concerning the disaster.disaster.

Disruption of Normal PatternsDisruption of Normal Patterns

The cardinal effect of disaster and children in adolescents The cardinal effect of disaster and children in adolescents is a disruption of their lives.is a disruption of their lives.

Disruption leads to a loss of reliability, cohesion, and Disruption leads to a loss of reliability, cohesion, and predictability.predictability.

Toddlers respond with increased dependency.Toddlers respond with increased dependency.

School-age children show evidence of trauma with talk School-age children show evidence of trauma with talk and play about trauma and hostility to peers and family.and play about trauma and hostility to peers and family.

Adolescents may also withdraw and have decreased Adolescents may also withdraw and have decreased interest and experience fatigue, hypertension, hostility and interest and experience fatigue, hypertension, hostility and loss of objectivity.loss of objectivity.

Disruption of normal patterns Disruption of normal patterns (continued)(continued)

Treatment/RecommendationsTreatment/Recommendations Parents, teachers, and Healthcare workers should create Parents, teachers, and Healthcare workers should create

and maintain a predictable schedule for children.and maintain a predictable schedule for children.

Night lights, stuffed animals, and reassurance are helpful.Night lights, stuffed animals, and reassurance are helpful.

Compassion is helpful but punishment is not.Compassion is helpful but punishment is not.

Consultation with psychiatrist or psychiatric social worker Consultation with psychiatrist or psychiatric social worker may be a benefit.may be a benefit.

Re-enactmentRe-enactment

PlayPlay

HomeHome

DrawingsDrawings

NightmaresNightmares

Guided play/imagery to take control of scenario and make a happy ending.

Care of theChild During

Disaster

Psychological

Psychological IssuesPsychological Issues

PDLS will review general concepts, not age-specific PDLS will review general concepts, not age-specific detailsdetails

The psychological impact of disasters on children as The psychological impact of disasters on children as victimsvictims

Focus on what to expect and how to helpFocus on what to expect and how to help

General PrinciplesGeneral Principles

Children are at a high risk of experiencing Children are at a high risk of experiencing psychological consequences before, during, and psychological consequences before, during, and after a disasterafter a disaster

Many factors that affect thisMany factors that affect this≈There is some controversy about theseThere is some controversy about these

What to Expect?What to Expect?

Everyone is affected by a disaster in some wayEveryone is affected by a disaster in some way

Expected ChangesExpected Changes

Anxiety, Fears, and Worries about safety of self and Anxiety, Fears, and Worries about safety of self and othersothers

Worries about re-occurrence or consequences such Worries about re-occurrence or consequences such as waras war

Hyperactivity, decreased concentration, withdrawal, Hyperactivity, decreased concentration, withdrawal, outbursts, absenteeismoutbursts, absenteeism

Increased body complaintsIncreased body complaints≈Headache, Stomach-ache, PainsHeadache, Stomach-ache, Pains

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Expected ChangesExpected Changes

Changes in school performanceChanges in school performance

Recreating Event through talk, playRecreating Event through talk, play

Increased sensitivity to soundsIncreased sensitivity to sounds≈Sirens, thunder, aircraftSirens, thunder, aircraft

Questions about death and injuryQuestions about death and injury

Changes in sleepChanges in sleep

Denial of impactDenial of impact

Hateful or angry statementsHateful or angry statements

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Specific Symptoms: Specific Symptoms: AggressionAggression

Seen across all age groupsSeen across all age groups

Verbal and/or physical outbursts towards siblings, Verbal and/or physical outbursts towards siblings, adultsadults

Specific Symptoms: Specific Symptoms: Regressive BehaviorRegressive Behavior

Seen across all age groupsSeen across all age groups

Crying, clinginess, helplessnessCrying, clinginess, helplessness

Regression of toileting habitsRegression of toileting habits≈BedwettingBedwetting

≈Diaper dependenceDiaper dependence

Specific Symptoms: Specific Symptoms: Post-traumatic stressPost-traumatic stress

Post-traumatic stress symptoms includePost-traumatic stress symptoms include::≈NightmaresNightmares≈FlashbacksFlashbacks≈Emotional detachment or numbnessEmotional detachment or numbness≈InsomniaInsomnia≈HypervigilanceHypervigilance≈IrritabilityIrritability≈Memory LossMemory Loss

Common Symptoms: Common Symptoms: Post-traumatic stressPost-traumatic stress

The best studied psychological effectThe best studied psychological effect

Factors affecting development of PTSD:Factors affecting development of PTSD:≈Age (older > younger)Age (older > younger)

≈Gender (females > males)Gender (females > males)

≈Race (black > white)Race (black > white)

≈Parental coping skills and capabilitiesParental coping skills and capabilities

≈Child’s perception of risk (media role?)Child’s perception of risk (media role?)

≈Duration of and distance to the dangerDuration of and distance to the danger

ExamplesExamples

Buffalo Creek Dam Collapse (1972)Buffalo Creek Dam Collapse (1972)

179 children screened 2 years after179 children screened 2 years after

37% given “probable diagnosis” PTSD37% given “probable diagnosis” PTSD

ExamplesExamples

Flooding in Bangladesh (1993)Flooding in Bangladesh (1993)

162 children screened 2 years later162 children screened 2 years later

Aggressive behavior went from 0% to 10%Aggressive behavior went from 0% to 10%

34% new onset of enuresis in previously toilet-34% new onset of enuresis in previously toilet-trained childrentrained children

ExamplesExamples

Wildfires in AustraliaWildfires in Australia

808 children screened808 children screened≈2, 4, 26 months after surviving2, 4, 26 months after surviving

≈PrevalencePrevalence of post-disaster PTSD did not change of post-disaster PTSD did not change

Prevalence is % present in population testedPrevalence is % present in population tested

≈Predicting factorsPredicting factors

Mother’s response to disaster more predictive Mother’s response to disaster more predictive compared to patient’s direct exposurecompared to patient’s direct exposure

ExamplesExamples

Reactions studied in preschoolers exposed to a Reactions studied in preschoolers exposed to a severe hurricanesevere hurricane≈After 14 months, when compared to unexposed childrenAfter 14 months, when compared to unexposed children

Higher levels of anxiety and withdrawalHigher levels of anxiety and withdrawal

Other behavioral issues resolved slowly over 6 Other behavioral issues resolved slowly over 6 months post-disastermonths post-disaster

Again, mother’s response predictive of resilience in Again, mother’s response predictive of resilience in childchild

ExamplesExamples

9/11 terrorist attacks9/11 terrorist attacks≈National sample 3-5 days after attacksNational sample 3-5 days after attacks

≈35% parents reported one child or more with anxiety-35% parents reported one child or more with anxiety-related symptomsrelated symptoms

≈Half of children worried about their safetyHalf of children worried about their safety

Factors:Factors:– Parental response

– Amount of media viewed on the attacks

Suicide?Suicide?

Development of PTSD symptoms a link to suicidal Development of PTSD symptoms a link to suicidal behaviorbehavior

In cross-population study of multiple federally In cross-population study of multiple federally declared disasters:declared disasters:≈25% increase in suicide in age group 10-29 years old25% increase in suicide in age group 10-29 years old

≈Hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes highest riskHurricanes, floods, and earthquakes highest risk

≈Data suggest young men at highest riskData suggest young men at highest risk

How to HelpHow to Help

Understand the high rates at which these Understand the high rates at which these psychiatric disorders appear in children after psychiatric disorders appear in children after disasterdisaster

Understand the time frameUnderstand the time frame≈Many behavioral problems will resolve over weeks to Many behavioral problems will resolve over weeks to

monthsmonths

≈Anxiety/PTSD symptoms may persist over yearsAnxiety/PTSD symptoms may persist over years

PlanningPlanning

Incorporate Incorporate Psychologic First AidPsychologic First Aid information and information and providers in your planning at all levelsproviders in your planning at all levels

Utilize the expertise and advice of mental health Utilize the expertise and advice of mental health professionals before, during, and afterprofessionals before, during, and after≈Preparation and pre-positioning resourcesPreparation and pre-positioning resources≈Expertise in screening, therapyExpertise in screening, therapy

Care of theChild During

Disaster

Socia

l

Socia

l

OverviewOverview

Children need to be viewed as an integral part of Children need to be viewed as an integral part of the population, not a “special circumstance” to be the population, not a “special circumstance” to be dealt with separatelydealt with separately≈What happens to adults happens to childrenWhat happens to adults happens to children

Planning, Response, and Recovery must Planning, Response, and Recovery must acknowledge this principle to be effectiveacknowledge this principle to be effective

InfluencesInfluences

It is established that outside factors greatly affect a It is established that outside factors greatly affect a child’s post-disaster psychiatric recovery, child’s post-disaster psychiatric recovery, especially:especially:≈How parents (especially mother) reacts in the post-How parents (especially mother) reacts in the post-

disaster environmentdisaster environment

≈MediaMedia

InfluencesInfluences

Exploring the parent-child relationship a little bit Exploring the parent-child relationship a little bit more:more:≈Child AbuseChild Abuse

≈Substance AbuseSubstance Abuse

In general, parental stress and a lack of social In general, parental stress and a lack of social services are linked to an increase in child abuse services are linked to an increase in child abuse reportsreports≈Is this true after a disaster too?Is this true after a disaster too?

ExamplesExamples

Loma Prieta Earthquke (1989)Loma Prieta Earthquke (1989)

Hurricane Hugo (1989)Hurricane Hugo (1989)

Hurricane Andrew (1992)Hurricane Andrew (1992)

Data suggest that child abuse rates increased in the Data suggest that child abuse rates increased in the 3 and 6 month period after these disasters3 and 6 month period after these disasters

ExamplesExamples

Hurricane Floyd (1999) in North CarolinaHurricane Floyd (1999) in North Carolina≈Inflicted traumatic brain injury increased in the 6 months Inflicted traumatic brain injury increased in the 6 months

following the hurricane in the most affected countiesfollowing the hurricane in the most affected counties

≈After 6 months rates of inflicted injury returned to baselineAfter 6 months rates of inflicted injury returned to baseline

≈Accidental injury rates remained the sameAccidental injury rates remained the same

ExamplesExamples

A 2001 café fire in the Netherlands wounded 250 A 2001 café fire in the Netherlands wounded 250 adolescents, and killed 14adolescents, and killed 14

Compared to a control group:Compared to a control group:

≈Increased rates of anxiety, depression, and alcohol useIncreased rates of anxiety, depression, and alcohol use

≈Marijuana, Ecstasy, and sedative use did not increaseMarijuana, Ecstasy, and sedative use did not increase

ExpectationsExpectations

Disasters are stressful events to all members of the Disasters are stressful events to all members of the communitycommunity≈Anticipate problems such as:Anticipate problems such as:

Increased child abuseIncreased child abuse

Increased substance abuseIncreased substance abuse

Media and SocietyMedia and Society

What has been the role of media in recent What has been the role of media in recent disasters?disasters?≈Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina≈Indian Ocean TsunamiIndian Ocean Tsunami≈9/11 Terrorist Attacks9/11 Terrorist Attacks

How did children respond to this information, based How did children respond to this information, based on what we have already discussed?on what we have already discussed?

Media and SocietyMedia and Society

Many children feared for their own safety, and that Many children feared for their own safety, and that of their parentsof their parents

Media viewing of disturbing images may Media viewing of disturbing images may exacerbate anxiety, aggression, regression, PTSDexacerbate anxiety, aggression, regression, PTSD

What is the responsibility of the media?What is the responsibility of the media?

What is the responsibility of parents?What is the responsibility of parents?

SuggestionsSuggestions

Acknowledge that children do not benefit from the Acknowledge that children do not benefit from the repeated viewing of frightening imagesrepeated viewing of frightening images

Photo: National Geographic Channel

SuggestionsSuggestions

Helping parents in need?Helping parents in need?

SchoolSchool

The re-establishment of routine may prevent the The re-establishment of routine may prevent the worsening of symptoms in children and speed the worsening of symptoms in children and speed the recoveryrecovery

The ability to recover after a disaster and return to The ability to recover after a disaster and return to normal is termed normal is termed resiliencyresiliency

SchoolSchool

School provides much of what is taken away during School provides much of what is taken away during a disaster and may be an important part of a disaster and may be an important part of resiliencyresiliency≈OrderOrder≈RulesRules≈ConsistencyConsistency≈FriendsFriends≈Role Models and TeachersRole Models and Teachers

Coping Techniques at Home and Coping Techniques at Home and SchoolSchool

Reinforce the idea of safety and security through Reinforce the idea of safety and security through self-realizationself-realization

Maintain a routine scheduleMaintain a routine schedule

Listen to children’s discussions of the eventsListen to children’s discussions of the events

Discuss how media may be affecting their feelingsDiscuss how media may be affecting their feelings

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Coping Techniques at Home and Coping Techniques at Home and SchoolSchool

Validate feelings of anger but discuss how Validate feelings of anger but discuss how developing hatred towards groups of people does developing hatred towards groups of people does not helpnot help

Encourage children to talk about how they have Encourage children to talk about how they have been affected, and explain how these reactions are been affected, and explain how these reactions are normalnormal

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