The Influence of Terrorist Attacks on the Psychological Wellbeing of Children: A Review of Results from Beslan and the United States

Abstract

This article will review research conducted regarding the psychological effects on children exposed to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the children held hostage in Beslan, Russia in 2004. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, sleeping problems, and anxiety were found among both groups. Factors that mediate the association between a terrorist attack and the consequences for children will be discussed. These factors include: degree of exposure, loss of loved ones, parent response, age, and pre-existing vulnerabilities. The results of studies of surviving children in the two groups will be compared.