Mass violence and mental health: Attachment and trauma
Key points
- This article focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as both one of the most important mental health consequences of mass violence and as the manifestation of a disrupted human attachment system.
- For instance, since the vulnerability to PTSD appears to be transmitted down the generations via the psychobiological manifestations of the parents' attachment system, prevention requires the effective treatment of afflicted communities within a context of strong social support.
- More specific guidelines for intervention are outlined focusing on the role of psychosocial workers and their need to be carefully selected, trained and supervised.
- Failure to tackle the effects of mass violence and to prevent further psychological damage through political action has serious implications in terms of the future of mankind.
This article focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as both one of the most important mental health consequences of mass violence and as the manifestation of a disrupted human attachment system. The implications are many in terms of treatment and prevention.
For instance, since the vulnerability to PTSD appears to be transmitted down the generations via the psychobiological manifestations of the parents' attachment system, prevention requires the effective treatment of afflicted communities within a context of strong social support.
More specific guidelines for intervention are outlined focusing on the role of psychosocial workers and their need to be carefully selected, trained and supervised.
Failure to tackle the effects of mass violence and to prevent further psychological damage through political action has serious implications in terms of the future of mankind.
Keywords: Post traumatic stress disorder; attachment; psychosocial interventions; mass violence; disasters
Author: C. Felicity de Zulueta
Affiliation: FRCPsych. Traumatic Stress Service, Maudsley Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, King's College. London
DOI: 10.1080/09540260701349464
Publication Frequency: 6 issues per year
Published in: International Review of Psychiatry, Volume 19, Issue 3 June 2007 , pages 221 - 233
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
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