psychology of disaster

350 words or more

On September 11th, 2001, the United States was the target of terrorists, suffering mass casualties, including thousands of lives lost as an immediate result of the terrorist attacks and many more to follow for years to come. Casualties not often thought of immediately are the psychological casualties of such an event, particularly those who may not have been involved in the tragic events first hand. However, Hoffman and Kruczek (2011) share a perspective worth considering in the discussion of the effects of terrorism, highlighting random survey results that indicated media exposure to the terrorist attacks revealing endorsements of PTSD by about half of surveyed adults, with one third restricting television access due to the traumatic nature of the event.  

• Considering the materials for the week, share your thoughts on the effect of media exposure to images from terrorist events. Should these be viewed as the new normal? 
• Do significant concerns related to the psychosocial development and functioning and potential of adverse reactions, such as the development of PTSD, exist with these types of indirect exposures to terrorist events? 

References

Hoffman, M. A. & Kruzcek, T. (2011). A bioecological model of mass trauma: Individual, community, and societal effects. The Counseling Psychologist, 39(8), 1087-1127.