Psychological effects of earthquakes in children: prospects for brief behavioral treatment
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Psychological effects of earthquakes in children: prospects for brief behavioral treatment Ebru Şalcıoğlu, Metin Başoğlu London, United Kingdom and Istanbul, Turkey
Data sources: Studies of child and adolescent earthquake survivors included the PILOTS database (electronic index for literature on psychological trauma) and relevant evidence from various studies of adult earthquake survivors. Results: Evidence points to elevated rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and earthquake-related fears in children and adolescents. Traumatic stress appears to be mediated by loss of control over fear induced by exposure to unpredictable and uncontrollable earthquakes. This implies that interventions enhancing sense of control over fear are likely to be most effective. Recent studies indeed show that a control focused behavioral treatment (CFBT) involving mainly encouragement for self-exposure to feared situations is highly effective in facilitating recovery from earthquake trauma. Evidence also suggests that CFBT can be delivered through booklets and similar media. Conclusions: Pilot studies suggest that CFBT has promise in effective treatment of PTSD in children. Further research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings and to develop self-help tools for children. World J Pediatr 2008;4(3):165-172 Key words: behavioral treatment; children; disasters; earthquakes; posttraumatic stress disorder
Author Affiliations: Section of Trauma Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London & Istanbul Center for Behavior Research and Therapy (ICBRT/DABATEM) (Şalcıoğlu E, Başoğlu M) Corresponding Author: Ebru Şalcıoğlu, Istanbul Center for Behavior Research and Therapy (ICBRT/DABATEM), Meşelik Sok. 26/5, Sıraselviler, Beyoğlu, Istanbul 80060, Turkey (Tel: +90-212-249 6949; Fax: +90-212 245 2385; Email: [email protected])
©2008, World J Pediatr. All rights reserved.
D
uring the 30 years between 1973 and 2003 an average of 58 000 people died and 255 million people were affected globally each year as a result of natural disasters.[1] Earthquakes rank second among the deadliest natural disasters that affect humans. In this article we briefly review the current status of knowledge on the mental health effects of earthquakes on children and their treatment, based on a literature search using the PILOTS database (electronic index for literature on psychological trauma). We also present a mental health care model for earthquake survivors developed after the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey.
Special article
Background: Treatment of child earthquake survivors is a relatively less investigated issue in disaster research. A review of the evidence on the mental health effects of earthquakes, risk factors, and findings from treatment studies may provide useful insights into effective treatment of traumatized children.
Mental health impact of earthquakes on children
As in adults, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is among the most common psychiatric outcomes of exposure to trauma in children. PTSD sympt
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