Risk and Resilience in Children in the Context of Mass Trauma

Abstract

This article explores the extant literature on outcomes of mass trauma in children as well as factors that predict risk and interventions used to enhance resilience and promote recovery. Many children display acute stress reactions after a mass trauma and some will develop chronic symptoms, but most will recover or demonstrate resilience. Children's reactions include posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, anxiety, and behavior problems. Various factors predict resilience and vulnerability in children after a mass trauma. These include preexisting factors such as the child's demographics, personality, and previous trauma exposure. The type and degree of exposure to the trauma influences outcomes, with direct exposure or loss of loved ones contributing to worse outcomes. The postdisaster environment, including disaster-related disruption and family and social factors, may hinder or enhance a child's recovery. The aforementioned factors may be used to inform assessment of risk and resilience in public and mental health settings in children after a mass trauma. Effective interventions vary based on the child's exposure and symptomology, timing of intervention in relation to the trauma, and the resources available for service provision. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2020;50(9):387–392.]

Associations between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Pandemic-Related Stress and the Impact on Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Previous exposure to ACEs can exacerbate the risk for poor mental health outcomes during public health emergencies (Oldfield et al, 2018 ; Whaley et al, 2020 ). ACEs are preventable, potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (aged 0–17 years), such as neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, and having a family member attempt or die by suicide (Ports et al, 2020 ).…”

The impact of COVID-19 and bushfires on the mental health of Australian adolescents: a cross-sectional study

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