Gilbert Reyes

PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS IN THE EARLY PHASES OF DISASTERS

Interest in the emerging field ofdisaster psychology has significantlyincreased after such events as theOklahoma City bombing and theSeptember 11th (2001) terrorist attacks.Consequently, a massive response hasensued from clinicians seeking toprovide mental health services todisaster victims, highlighting the needto ensure timely and clinically effectiveservice provision. The present article isdirected toward clinicians and traineesinterested in learning more about thedisaster mental health field. It describesthe impact of disasters on communitiesand individuals and the most commonlyemployed interventions. The authorsemphasize the distinction between thefields of disaster psychology andtraumatology and stress that expertisein treating trauma-related disorders isnot sufficient preparation forconducting psychosocial disasterintervention. Finally, information isprovided on how to obtain adequatetraining and experience as a disastermental health professional.

Clinical Profile Differences Between PTSD-Diagnosed Military Veterans and Crime Victims

ABSTRACT Few studies have conducted symptom comparisons across different trauma-exposed populations. Evidence linking different types of trauma to variations in clinical presentation would have potential implications for the assessment and treatment of trauma-related psychopathology. The current study evaluated whether military veterans (n = 187) and civilian crime victims (n = 47) diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder differ in their self-reported posttraumatic symptoms as measured by the Trauma Symptom Inventory. A multivariate profile analysis revealed that military-related trauma is associated with more severe posttraumatic symptoms than criminal victimization and suggested that these 2 types of trauma have statistically distinct symptom profiles. Some potential implications of these findings and considerations for future research are discussed.

The role of public health in mental and behavioral health in children and families following disasters.

OBJECTIVES Children and youth have been shown to be vulnerable to negative mental and behavioral health consequences following mass disasters and terrorist attacks. The purpose of this article was to identify the primary roles and responsibilities of public health agencies and systems that both promote resiliency and reduce the mental health risks to children and their families following disastrous events. METHODS The authors conducted a review and synthesis of public and mental health research literatures, resources, and policies focused on mental and behavioral health outcomes in children and families in the aftermath of disasters. RESULTS The available research evidence supported the contention that children experience heightened psychosocial vulnerabilities and lasting psychosocial burdens following disasters. The major roles that public health organizations and systems can play to both prevent and deter such harmful mental and behavioral health impacts of disasters during all phases of the disaster cycle were identified. CONCLUSIONS The roles identified that public health organizations and systems can undertake included coordination and collaboration with various local and federal agencies, advocacy and promotion of community resilience, deterring harmful effects of disastrous events by assessment, screening, case finding and education, training of personnel, guiding interventions, formulating policy, and conducting research investigations.

Children displaced by Hurricane Katrina: A focus group study

Focus groups were conducted with 23 children and adolescents, aged 9 to 17 years, who relocated from Louisiana to Texas following Hurricane Katrina to explore their disaster, evacuation, and resettlement experiences. The resilience described by some was remarkable and, despite evidence of cultural disparity and stigma, many identified positive aspects of the new communities in which they resided. Attempts to help displaced children must begin with a full understanding of the individual experiences and reactions of those being served rather than being based on assumptions about what may have occurred.

A Skill Set for Supporting Displaced Children in Psychological Recovery After Disasters.

Helping children, adolescents, and families displaced following a natural disaster is a daunting task made more challenging by the relatively small research base to inform services and interventions. This paper describes the current literature pertaining to intervention practices used with displaced youth. Where gaps in the literature exist, we pull from the more general research on relocation and post-disaster intervention to assist practitioners in tailoring their efforts. Specifically discussed are ways to enhance youth resilience, to help youth build new social connections and adjust to change and uncertainty while coping with trauma-related symptoms, and to meet needs through the systems in which children are embedded. The need for focused attention to cultural factors is discussed with an emphasis on collaborating with culture brokers.

Children’s Services in Disasters and Other Emergencies

The present chapter focuses on the psychological and social impact of disasters on children and the services targeting children’s needs in postdisaster reconstruction. The relevant literature is reviewed to establish a reliable basis for predicting children’s reactions to disasters, the approaches to coping and adaptation that children and families will most likely employ, and the types of mental health needs that are likely to emerge. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of identifying children who are at heightened risk or are particularly vulnerable to the disruptions in development that can result from exposure to the acutely stressful aspects of mass casualty events. Because children’s mental health needs can best be understood and served in the contexts of their communities and families, emphasis is placed upon the need to integrate psychosocial services into existing social structures and institutions. Moreover, since disaster-affected populations vary along dimensions of race, class, affluence, religion, and other demographic indices of social status, this chapter highlights the importance of culturally sensitive assessment of children’s needs and contextually appropriate modes of intervention. The commonly available services offered to meet children’s psychosocial needs are described and service gaps or other areas of inadequacy are identified. Finally, recent initiatives are described and recommendations