IMPACT OF TERRORISM ON CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of terrorism on mental health of children. To examine this phenomenon, anxiety and depression disorder symptoms of traumatized and nontraumatized children were compared as well as gender differences on the same were also explored. The data was collected from the schools of Baluchistan and Sindh. The sample consisted of 188 participants divided into two groups: traumatized children (n=94) and non-traumatized children (n=94) including 62 male and 126 female children, aged 12 to 14 years. The Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (Chorpita et al., 2000) was used to collect the data. The results of independent sample t-test reveal that the traumatized children scored higher on depression and anxiety disorder symptoms as well as on one of the anxiety subscales i.e generalized anxiety as compared to non-traumatized children. Further, significant gender differences between traumatized girls and boys on anxiety and depression disorder symptoms are also evident. The findings have significant implications.