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Abstract
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Data collected from 50 observers confirm newspaper accounts of the imperturbability of the majority of the population. Acclimatization even to heavy raids at night has been remarkable. A considerable proportion manage to sleep through the terrific racket. There is no doubt that being with others helps the majority of people, and that those who live alone tend to find raids much more trying. Introspective accounts of what it feels like when bombs fall close are difficult to obtain and often contradictory. There have been fewer cases of neurosis than were expected. There have been no new or unexpected types of "air-raid neurosis." Among people showing neurotic trends before raids began, roughly one-half have shown no change, a quarter have become worse, and a quarter have actually improved. In general, the psychological disorders attributable to raids seem to be considerably less serious than the social disorganization consequent on the destruction of so many homes and personal belongings, the disruption of communications, and the difficulties of feeding, evacuation, etc. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)
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