The Emotional Impact of Disaster on Children and Families

Provide adolescents with a space to discuss the event and their initial and ongoing response to it. It can also be helpful for a reliable adult to share valid information with them.

Adolescents are frequently self-conscious about their emotions, especially fears generated by the traumatic event. Fears can sometimes create a sense of vulnerability and shame. It may be beneficial for them to share these feelings within a group of peers.

Adolescents may “act-out” what they cannot verbally express. Substance abuse, criminal behaviors, and sexual promiscuity are some possible behaviors. These pose a challenge for the parents and should be addressed by the family, school, and the community.

In addition, abrupt shifts in interpersonal relationships can occur during times of crisis. Changes in familial, peer, and other (teacher) relationships may occur. Provide a safe place for parents and adolescents to talk about these changes and how they affect them. Reflecting on abrupt losses or changes in relationships and how to adapt to these changes may result in a plan on how to redesign the family structure.

Typically adolescents place a high value on the sense of justice. This may lead certain individuals to a strong desire for revenge. Man-made disasters are the ideal situation for feelings of revenge to arise. It is important for adults to acknowledge these emotions discourage this kind of retaliatory behavior. Discuss the real consequences of following these emotions to discourage impulsive revenge.

Adolescents may also need a space to talk about the events, with freedom to ask all the questions they have. Adolescents should be invited to talk about their feelings, but should not be forced by parents to engage in discussions when they are not yet ready. They can also participate in family decisions and help in reconstruction tasks; being provided opportunities where they can help others may assist adolescents in coping with their own distress.