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Acute Psychological Impact of Disaster and Large-Scale Trauma: Limitations of Traditional Interventions and Future Practice Recommendations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Matt J. Gray ,
Shira Maguen  and
Brett T. Litz
Matt J. Gray*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
Shira Maguen
Affiliation:
Boston Veterans Affairs Health Care SystemBoston University School of Medicine Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Brett T. Litz
Affiliation:
Boston Veterans Affairs Health Care SystemBoston University School of Medicine Boston, Massachusetts, USA
*
University of Wyoming, Department of Psychology, PO Box 3415, Laramie, WY 82071-3415USA E-mail: gray@uwyo.edu
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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.

Keywords

cognitive-behavioral interventionscritical incident stress debriefingpost-disaster treatmentpsycho-educationtraumatic bereavementtraumatic grief
Type
Special Reports
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 19 , Special Issue 1: Psychosocial Themes , March 2004 , pp. 64 - 72
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2004

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