This text offers psychotherapists and others involved in emergency response contemporary information on the immediate and lasting effects of trauma on children and adolescents. This volume demonstrates children and adolescents do have significant reactions that can interfere with their current and future psychological adjustment. Who is most at risk, and what can be done? This text reviews the research and intervention literature on a broad range of natural and man-made disasters, from floods and house-fires to acts of terrorism and war. Chapter authors document children's reactions, identifying factors that may predict or, alternatively, buffer against severe trauma responses. Descriptions of preparatory and post-disaster coping materials and interventions developed for use with children are included. In addition to setting the research agenda and paving the way for theory and model building in this evolving field, this volume has a strong practical emphasis, offering strategies for when and how to intervene, based on clinical observations and empirical evidence.

The comprehensive coverage in this hugely important and timely handbook makes it invaluable to clinical child, school, and counseling psychologists; clinical social workers; and child psychiatrists. As a textbook for advanced clinical and counseling psychology programs, and a solid reference for the researcher in child/adolescent mental health, its emphasis on flexibility and attention to emerging issues will help readers meet ongoing challenges, as well as advance the field. Its relevance cannot be overstated, as growing numbers of young people have mental health problems requiring intervention, and current policy initiatives identify evidence-based therapies as the most effective and relevant forms of treatment.

School shootings. Devastating earthquakes. Severe floods. Deadly motor vehicle crashes. Terrorist attacks. Many communities and individuals endure these and other extraordinary experiences so horrifying in their effects that we call them disasters. Furthermore, the events of September 11, 2001 highlighted the realities of terrorism for most Americans and underscored the importance of understanding how children and adolescents react to disasters and terrorism. The publication of this volume is especially timely given that the tragedies of September 2001 and subsequent events are still too recent to have yielded an empirical perspective on their impact on children, adolescents, and families. This volume reviews the current state of knowledge regarding children's reactions to disaster and terrorism, and provides the background and conceptualization needed for framing mental health interventions and future research efforts. This volume has two purposes. The first is to provide a systematic review of children's and adolescents' reactions to specific disasters and the factors that contribute to those reactions. The second is to review the current state of interventions that have been developed to address children's and adolescents' mental health needs following disasters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved).

The Oklahoma City bombing, intentional crashing of airliners on September 11, 2001, and anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001 have made Americans acutely aware of the impacts of terrorism. These events and continued threats of terrorism have raised questions about the impact on the psychological health of the nation and how well the public health infrastructure is able to meet the psychological needs that will likely result. Preparing for the Psychological Consequences of Terrorism highlights some of the critical issues in responding to the psychological needs that result from terrorism and provides possible options for intervention. The committee offers an example for a public health strategy that may serve as a base from which plans to prevent and respond to the psychological consequences of a variety of terrorism events can be formulated. The report includes recommendations for the training and education of service providers, ensuring appropriate guidelines for the protection of service providers, and developing public health surveillance for preevent, event, and postevent factors related to psychological consequences.

Helping Children Cope with Trauma bridges theory and practice in examining emerging approaches to enhancing resilience and treating traumatised children. Adopting a child-centred perspective, it highlights the importance of the synergy between individual, family, community and social interventions for recovery from post-traumatic stress. Consisting of chapters by an international range of contributors, the book is presented in three sections, reflecting the ecological circles of support that facilitate healthy development in the face of traumatic circumstances. Section 1, Individual, addresses the impact of exposure to trauma and loss on post-traumatic adaptation, focusing on biological aspects, attachment patterns, emotion regulation and aggressive behaviour in children. Section 2, Family, looks at the concept of family resilience, the impact of trauma on playfulness in toddlers and parents, innovative models for working with children traumatised by war, domestic violence and poverty and describes the challenges faced by refugee families in the light of intergenerational transmission of trauma. Section 3, Community, broadly explores the concept of community resilience and preparedness, the centrality of the school in the community during times of war and conflict, post-traumatic distress and resilience in diverse cultural contexts and the impact of trauma work on mental health professionals who live and work in shared traumatic realities. The book concludes with a theoretical discussion of the concept of Survival Mode as an organisng principle for understanding post-traumatic phenomena. Helping Children Cope with Trauma will provide mental health professionals, child welfare workers, educators, child development experts and researchers with a thorough understanding of the needs of children after trauma and how those needs may best be met.

- Presented into two clear and understandable sections: theoretical/empirical and intervention programs - Both authors have immense experience dealing with disaster and mass trauma, both in Israel and in the United States - Serves as both a reference tool and as a toolkit that can be used by all important players involved, which include mental health personnel, teachers, and parents