Trauma and Dissociation in Northern Ireland

Dorahy, DClinPsych Martin J.; Paterson, DClinPsych Michael C.

doi:10.1300/j189v04n03_03

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The linkage between trauma and psychological coping style is most strongly articulated in the writings on Northern Ireland. As Dorahy & Paterson (2005) note, sectarian strife has been intricately woven into the fabric of the country, with shootings and bombings not an extraordinary occurrence during the past 30 years. Consequently, many of the symptoms of PTSD cited in Vazquez et al (2006, p. 66) that are taken as indicators of emotional illness in the case of a single terrorist attack (e.g., hypervigilance, avoidance of places associated with the trauma) can, in fact, be functional for survival in the context of an ongoing existential threat.…”

Section: Coping Style In Northern Irelandmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the findings from this body of research are not consistent. Some have argued that the conflict has generated pervasive emotional trauma (e.g., Loughrey et al 1988, Dorahy & Paterson 2005, while other investigators find only modest effects on psychiatric morbidity (Curran 1988, Muldoon et al 2000, Murphy & Lloyd 2007.…”

Section: Coping Style In Northern Irelandmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recognition of the unique conflictual terrain of Northern Ireland, the conceptual formulation of psychological effects has been broadened by a consideration of "dissociation" and "dissociative coping style" (Dorahy & Paterson 2005, Dorahy et al 2006. Dissociative coping refers to the emotional processing of trauma using defenses such as denial, avoidance, and distancing, in place of a more healthy integration of the totality of a horrific experience into the psychic self (Middleton 2004).…”

Section: Coping Style In Northern Irelandmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An anomalous finding from the research on Northern Ireland is that dissociative coping can have a positive effect on mental health and on the processing of acute stress, despite the distortion of reality associated with this defense mechanism (Curran 1988, Curran & Miller 2001. The splitting of reality provides a target for rage and anger, but it also provides a supportive community that can validate one's traumatic experience and help ward off feelings of grief and helplessness (Middleton 2004, Dorahy & Paterson 2005. In general, dissociative coping appears to fit well with the sort of psychological adaptation that is functional in a conflict characterized by intense sectarian violence.…”

Section: Coping Style In Northern Irelandmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Societal Responses to Terrorist Attacks

Spilerman

Stecklov

2009

Annu. Rev. Sociol.

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Terrorist attacks in the United States and in Western Europe have been rare, and public awareness of the terrorist menace has largely been molded by a few horrific events. In contrast, other countries have experienced chronic terrorism, with attacks on buses, restaurants, coffee shops, and retail establishments. In this review, we assess the impact of terrorism on civilian society in the United States, Northern Ireland, and Israel. We examine the psychological effects, the adaptations made by individuals to enhance their safety, and the consequent adjustments made by institutional actors and by commercial establishments to ensure continued economic viability. We review the various theories of societal adjustments to exogenous shocks and point out that a very different formulation is required for the case of chronic terrorism than for the societal experience of a one-time attack.

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Section: Coping Style In Northern Irelandmentioning

confidence: 99%