Ongoing Terrorism Research Articles

Exposure to terrorism, stress-related mental health symptoms, and coping behaviors among a nationally representative sample in Israel.

The terrorist attacks on Israeli society have been ongoing since September 2000. However, few studies have examined the impact of terrorism on nationally representative population samples, and no study has examined the psychological impact of ongoing terrorism in Israel. To determine the level of exposure to terrorist attacks and the prevalence of traumatic stress-related (TSR) symptoms, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sense of safety after 19 months of terrorism in Israel, and to identify correlates of the psychological sequelae and the modes of coping with the terrorism. Telephone survey conducted April-May 2002, using a strata sampling method, of 902 eligible households and a representative sample of 742 Israeli residents older than 18 years (82% contact rate) and a final participation of 512 (57%). Number of TSR symptoms, rates of those with symptom criteria for PTSD and acute stress disorder assessed by the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire, self-reported feelings of depression, optimism, sense of safety, help-seeking, and modes of coping. Of 512 survey participants, 84 (16.4%) had been directly exposed to a terrorist attack and 191 (37.3%) had a family member or friend who had been exposed. Of 510 participants who responded to questions about TSR symptoms, 391 (76.7%) had at least 1 TSR symptom (mean, 4.0 [SD, 4.5]; range, 0-23; mean intensity, 0.8; range, 0-4). Symptom criteria for PTSD were met by 48 participants (9.4%) and criteria for acute stress disorder, by 1 participant; 299 (58.6%) reported feeling depressed. The majority of respondents expressed optimism about their personal future (421/512 [82.2%]) and the future of Israel (307/509 [66.8%]), and expressed self-efficacy with regard to their ability to function in a terrorist attack (322/431 [74.6%]). Most expressed a low sense of safety with respect to themselves (307/509 [60.4%]) and their relatives (345/507 [67.9%]). Few reported a need for professional help (27/506 [5.3%]). Female sex, sense of safety, and use of tranquilizers, alcohol, and cigarettes to cope were associated with TSR symptoms and symptom criteria for PTSD; level of exposure and objective risk were not. The most prevalent coping mechanisms were active information search about loved ones and social support. Considering the nature and length of the Israeli traumatic experience, the psychological impact may be considered moderate. Although the survey participants showed distress and lowered sense of safety, they did not develop high levels of psychiatric distress, which may be related to a habituation process and to coping mechanisms.

Working with People Experiencing Terrorist Attacks in Israel: A Narrative Perspective

Abstract Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the civilian population has endured many terrorist attacks. This reality, together with an expanded network of mental and social services, has led to the development of extensive interventions directed toward helping those people who experienced these terrorist attacks. Over a period of many years, the authors have worked extensively with children and adults in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria who have been subjected to terrorist attacks. We describe how narrative therapy ideas and practices aid our work. We present a deconstructive analysis of existing discourses on trauma and crisis, demonstrating the use of narrative ideas and practices, and present a number of vignettes of people dealing with the hardships related to ongoing peril and terror.

The Impact of Terrorism on Jews in Israel

Abstract In searching for information on the effects of living with the ongoing threat of terrorism, Israel was an obvious place to turn. For several years now reports of acts of terrorism and violence occurring in Israel have appeared in the news media as frequently as several times a week. Moreover, one of the more common types of terrorist acts regularly taking place there, suicide bombing, coincides with the method used in the September 11th attacks in the U.S. The impact of ongoing terrorism on children and their families has been an area of expertise of Israeli psychologist Ofra Ayalon for many years now. Dr. Ayalon was interviewed by Frances S. Waters, a clinical social worker and licensed marriage and family therapist in independent practice in Marquette, Michigan. The interview was conducted via telephone on January 12, 2002.

Psychiatric service delivery in an Asian country: the experience of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island with a population of 19.4 million. Compared to its south Asian neighbors it has favorable health statistics for its per capita income and the health investment. Currently, the country is facing several crises--a declining world economy, the Asian economic crises, political instability, and ongoing terrorist activities. The health sector too has been adversely affected by these factors with the added impact of plateauing of State investments on health, and a demographic and epidemiological transition. The mental health services suffer from a history of under-investment, an emphasis towards 'asylum-based care' inherited from the British and from emerging problems such as violence, displacements and disruption in social groupings. The demands for more sophisticated and comprehensive care too have increased. As a result, mental healthcare is at a critical juncture in its development in the country. With the renewed global interest in the area, Sri Lanka is in an ideal situation to make a quantum leap in developing its services to new heights.

A Cross-Cultural Investigation of the Ethical Values of Consumers: The Potential Effect of War and Civil Disruption

Past research has examined the ethical judgments of consumers in the U.S., but few studies have investigated such attitudes in foreign-market settings. The current study compares ethical attitudes of consumers in two countries (Ireland and Lebanon) which share a cultural similarity of ongoing war and terrorism. The findings reveal that both cultures exhibit low sensitivity to ethical issues. Furthermore, the findings show that the Irish consumers are less sensitive to consumer ethical practices, less idealistic, more relativistic, and more Machiavellian than Lebanese consumers. The authors recommend that other researchers need to further investigate this perplexing issue because ethics is a research topic which often discourages survey respondents to be candid.

Medical Responses to Terrorist Incidents

Terrorism can be considered a form of low-intensity conflict. It results from extreme reactions to sociopolitical conditions. These reactions, through a variety of intellectual and emotional processes, are manifest as overt acts of violence. Terrorism includes acts by individuals or organizations which seek to change political or social conditions, make political or ideological statements, or obtain funds for sustaining ongoing terrorist or revolutionary campaigns. Terrorist incidents are increasingly prevalent. Often, they involve loss of lives and mass casualties and have special medical dimensions. As such, the role of EMS in terrorist incidents needs to be defined clearly.

Controlling International Terrorism: Alternatives Palatable and Unpalatable

Operating from the premise that the literature on the control of international terrorism is inadequate, the authors systematically develop general alternatives for mastering international terrorism. Using a representative terrorist incident as the vehicle for considering the general strategies to be followed within the framework of ongoing international terrorism, the authors analyze the incident as a historical event. As such, the event can be set within a given historical context and examined comprehensively from the viewpoint of alternate possible beginnings, strategies to be followed and tactics to be effected within the framework of the incident itself, and systematic consideration of a range of possible outcomes. The authors consider that adequate control of international terrorism and the incidents that reflect its essential character must include strategies encompassing at least factors of politics, law, law enforcement, propaganda, armed military force, psychology, and time.