Psychological Effects of Terror Attack on Children: Acute Stress Symptoms

The present study WUG conducted to examine psychological implications of tcrrorism for children, in particular acute stress symptoms were examined following terror attack on the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) building in Lahore. It was hypothesized that childrcn arc likely to cxpcricncc acutc strcss symptoms subsequent to the terror attack. Sample of fifty children was recruited from the Sacred Heart School adjacent to the FIA building, Lahore. Acute Stress Symptoms checklist (Adams, 2006) was used for assessment and individual assessment was carried out by the researcher at the premises of school. Majority of the children scored above cut off scores on acute stress symptoms. There were gender differences in acute stress symptoms. Girls experienced significantly more acute stress symptoms compared to boys. There was negative relationship between age and acute stress symptoms. Findings have important implications for provision of psychological interventions for school children who are exposed to traumatic events such as terrorism.