Citation

Figley CR. Traumatology 1998; 4(2): 36-41.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, Publisher APA Journals)

DOI

10.1177/153476569800400206

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article asserts that in order for the field of Traumatology, to thrive it must embrace a multidisciplinary approach that adopts a wide variety of methods of inquiry. An example of such diversity of inquiry is the latest issue of TRAUMATOLOGYe. Three papers are reviewed. It is noted that the Dyregrov (1998) article represents the latest assertion that psychological debriefing including, but not limited to Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is valuable. The assertion is that no research has confirmed the lack of utility. Indeed, the fact that so many continue to use debriefings illustrate the utility of the approach. This article then focuses on the paper by B e dics, Rappe & Sansone (1998). Their study focused on the case records of children enrolled in a residency treatment program for children with conduct disorders, 11-16 years old. The investigators predicted and found that a substantial number of children in the program were exposed to considerable traumatic events and met the criteria for PTSD. The third paper by Daugherty and Esper (1998). reported the findings of an interesting study of reactions to male rape victims. Consistent with previous research, belief in a just world predicted greater victim blame and homosexual victims were accorded more blame than heterosexual victims. The final section of this article discusses the most recent history of the field of Traumatology. Among other things, it notes that these three contributions illustrate the diversity of theoretical and methodological orientations represented in the field. It is noted that in order to most effectively help traumatized people there must be a commitment to open discourse, the scientific method, and creative methods for achieving these goals.

Language: en