Risk and Protective Factors Mediating Psychological Symptoms and Ideological Commitment of Adolescents Facing Continuous Terrorism

• DOI: 10.1097/01.nmd.0000207364.68064.dc
• Publication Date: 2006-04-04T08:28:59Z
• Authors: Nathaniel Laor; Leo Wolmer; Moshe Alon; Joanna Siev; Eliahu Samuel; Paz Toren
• Keywords: Protective factor; SWORD

This study evaluated symptoms, risk, and protective factors of adolescents from six Israeli schools exposed to continuous terrorism. All children in the grades selected at each school (7, 9, 11) were administered anonymous assessment materials measuring posttraumatic, grief, dissociative as well traumatic exposure, personal resilience, family factors. A high number risk increased likelihood negative symptoms. Perceived resilience served a factor against symptom development, perhaps enforced by ideology. Girls living on West Bank had less severe posttrauma more willing make sacrifices for their country. Proactive interventions aimed enhancing child's ability cope with stress may help protect later symptomatology following events. Facing terrorism, political ideology serve double edge sword: protecting development contributing toxic cycle violence.