Citation

Gray MJ, Maguen S, Litz BT. Prehosp. Disaster Med. 2004; 19(1): 64-72.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3415, USA. gray@uwyo.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15453161

Abstract

Nearly everyone will experience emotional and psychological distress in the immediate aftermath of a disaster or other large-scale traumatic event. Although extremely upsetting and disruptive, the reaction is understood best as a human response to inordinate adversity, which in the majority of cases remits over time without formal intervention. Nevertheless, some people experience sustained difficulties. To prevent chronic post-traumatic difficulties, mental health professionals provide early interventions soon after traumatic exposure. These interventions typically take the form of single-session debriefings, which have been applied routinely following disasters. The research bearing on these traditional forms of early crisis interventions has shown that, although well-received by victims, there is no empirical support for their continued use. However, promising evidence-based, early interventions have been developed, which are highlighted. Finally, traumatic bereavement and complicated grief in survivors of disasters, an area largely neglected in the field, is discussed.

Language: en