The Emotional Impact of Disaster on Children and Families

SECTION I - EMOTIONAL VULNERABILITY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN DISASTER SITUATIONS

1. What individual conditions influence vulnerability in children?
2. What factors influence the emotional impact of disasters on children?
3. What is resilience and what can be done to foster resilience in children affected by disaster?

SECTION II - CHILDREN’S EMOTIONAL RESPONSE TO DISASTER

1. What are the most frequent emotional disturbances in the childhood population exposed to disaster?
2. What are the characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder?
3. What are the major symptoms in depressive disorders?

SECTION III - SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

1. What are the most common reactions in pre-school children? 
2. What are the most frequent reactions in school children?
3. How can adverse reactions in adolescents be dealt with?

SECTION IV - PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

1. What is the role of the pediatrician in helping reduce the emotional impact in the childhood population?
2. How should the pediatrician intervene before a disaster takes place?
3. What is the role of the pediatrician during the disaster?
4. What contributions can the pediatrician make after the disaster?
5. What is Psychologcial First Aid and who should provide it?