Citation

Somasundaram D. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 2004; 9(1-2): 215-228.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J146v09n01_26

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Due to two decades of ethnic war in Sri Lanka, victims of terror have been profoundly affected psychologically and socially. The impact is seen at the individual, family, and community levels. Epidemiological surveys show that civilians have experienced widespread traumatization, with high levels of somatization, anxiety, depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), relationship problems, and alcohol abuse. At the community level, the cumulative effect of terror is collective trauma, with a general tendency to mistrust, dependence, silence, withdrawal, passivity, and lack of motivation. Socially, there is evidence of deterioration in values and ethics with marked increases in child abuse, violence against women, crime, and brutalization.