Media Effects in Youth Exposed to Terrorist Incidents: a Historical Perspective

The Grief of Peer Loss Among Adolescents: A Narrative Review

Peer death is not uncommon during adolescence. Unlike the loss of family members, grief following the peer loss is often unrecognized and unsupported by society, making it difficult for adolescents to handle their grief. This may result in prolonged and intense reactions, negatively affecting academic performance and physical and mental health. In this article, we review the manifestations of, associated factors with, and interventions for grief after peer loss and discuss unaddressed questions. A literature search was conducted within three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect) from January 1, 2014 to December 29, 2024. Finally, 13 English studies focusing on peer loss and grief among adolescents were identified and included. Grief over the death of a friend in adolescents could be intense, lasting up to 8.5 years, with symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder and sleep disturbances. The prolonged grief could impair mental health and social functioning. Girls tend to exhibit more complicated grief reactions and experience a longer duration of grief compared to boys. Personality traits also play a critical role: adolescents with high agreeableness tend to recover more quickly, while those with high neuroticism are less resilient. The quality of the friendship with the deceased and exposure to negative information also influence the grief intensity. Raising professional awareness, providing targeted interventions, and establishing effective social support are essential for grief recovery. Significant gaps still remain in understanding adolescent grief following peer loss, particularly in the mechanisms between different factors and grief, and the feasibility and effectiveness of specific treatment plans. Addressing these limitations is essential for advancing theoretical frameworks and developing targeted interventions. This review provides a foundational basis for future research and clinical practices, with the potential to inform therapeutic approaches and interventions that better support the healing and recovery processes of grieving adolescents.

To lose a friend: the relationship between professional help and grief among close bereaved friends after the terror attack, 22 July 2011

Background: Close friends are often an overlooked group of bereaved people. This study is based on a sub-project on young adults who experienced the loss of a close friend in the terrorist attack on Utøya, Norway, on 22 July 2011.Objective: The aim of this longitudinal study was to explore the relationship between complicated grief reactions, the need for help, and help received after losing a close friend to a traumatic death.Method: In total, data from 89 people (with a mean age of 21 years, 76.4% female) were collected at one or more of the four time-points: 18, 28, 40, and 102 months after the incident. Latent growth modelling was used to analyse levels of grief reactions and change over time, experienced need for help, and help received.Results: According to the results, the bereaved friends in our study were profoundly impacted by the loss and experienced level of reactions indicating complicated grief (mean scores on the Inventory of Complicated Grief varied from 36.2 to 23.7). A need for help was related to a decrease in grief symptoms, whereas a prolonged need for help was related to no reduction or an increase in grief. Received help was not related to decrease in grief symptoms.Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for continuous professional help, and demonstrate that the present help measures used after traumatic events may not adequately meet the needs of close bereaved friends. This emphasizes the importance of acknowledging friends as bereaved and that follow-up measures should also include this group. Finally, the study highlights the need to learn more about how professional can help bereaved friends.

Prolonged grief, post-traumatic stress, and functional impairment in parents and siblings 8 years after the 2011 Utøya terror attack

Background: Research on bereavement after terrorism is limited and primarily aiming on short-term consequences.Objective: To better understand the long-term health consequences of terrorism, we studied bereaved parents and siblings eight years after the Utøya terrorist attack in Norway. We examined the participants' symptom levels of prolonged grief (PG) and post-traumatic stress (PTS), as well as their psychosocial functioning and employment status.Method: Bereaved parents (n = 88) and siblings (n = 34) aged 19 and above (mean age  = 49.7 years, SD = 13.8 years, 59.8% female) completed the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) to assess PG, PTS, and functional impairment, respectively. In addition, information about employment status was obtained. The proportion of participants scoring above recommended thresholds on the ICG, IES-R, and WSAS was calculated. Differences between parents and siblings and gender differences on these measures were examined.Results: In total, 62.3% of the participants had scores on the ICG indicating a risk for prolonged grief, while 45.9% scored over cutoff on the IES. There was a high overlap between symptoms of PG and PTS. Females had significantly higher scores on both the ICG and the IES compared to males. There were no differences between parents and siblings regarding PG and PTS symptoms. One out of three showed severe functional impairment on the WSAS. Approximately 30% of all the bereaved were outside the labour force, and one third of the parents had become unable to work after the terrorist attack.Conclusion: Many bereaved parents and siblings, following the Utøya terror attack, report long-lasting health consequences with symptoms of PG and PTS and functional impairment. The results suggest a need for follow up of bereaved after a terror attack and identify family members in need of health services.

Factors Associated With Depression and Anxiety in Korean Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to identify factors associated with depression and anxiety among Korean adolescents during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,898 Korean adolescents (55.2% male, 44.8% female) ranging in age from 12 to 17 years (mean±standard deviaion age, 15.4±2.6 years). Depression and anxiety were defined as a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥10 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score ≥10, respectively. Other questionnaires included sociodemographic data, psychosocial stresses, and experiences in association with COVID-19. Psychiatric scales included Gratitude Questionnaire-6, Perceived Stress Scale-10, and UCLA Loneliness Scale-3.

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms among participants were 13.8% and 21.0%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that female sex, fear of COVID-19 infection, low gratitude were risk factors for depression. Fear of COVID-19 infection, increased TV watching time, and academic-related stress were risk factors for anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Depression and anxiety were prevalent during the pandemic in Korean adolescents, and were associated with fear of COVID-19 infection. Providing appropriate information on COVID-19, helping adolescents manage academic-related stress and maintain daily life patterns, and implementing interventions to foster gratitude are important for preventing depression and anxiety in Korean adolescents.

Psychiatric reactions among the non-exposed population who viewed disaster-related short videos: Evidence from the 2021 Henan floods

Media-triggered mental disorders are common when people experience traumatic events. However, few studies have examined the underlying mechanism of how viewing disaster-related short videos triggers psychiatric reactions among non-exposed populations in the context of today's media ecology. Moreover, limited studies have employed psychological network analysis to comprehensively disentangle the associations between diverse forms of media exposure and psychological symptoms. To fill these research gaps, we conducted a survey on a non-exposed population (N = 516) during the 2021 Henan floods to test the effects of short video exposure on its mental status. Short video exposure behaviors were measured under 12 different scenarios, and the participants' mental status (i.e., depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) was measured using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, and PTSD Check List-Civilian version (PCL-C). We employed both correlation and psychological network analyses to make estimations. The descriptive results revealed that short video exposure behaviors among almost all scenarios were positively associated with the scores of PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PCL-C. The network analysis revealed that both depression and anxiety were associated with the "Support (SVP)" scenario, whereas PTSD was directly linked to the "Help Seeking (SVP)" scenario. Among the three networks, "Help Seeking (SVP)" was the most central among the 12 scenarios of short video exposure. The central symptoms for depression, anxiety, and PTSD were "Concentration," "Relax," and "Reliving Trauma," respectively. The shortest paths between the central short video exposure item and central symptom among the three networks consisted of only two or three steps. This study's findings could assist researchers and policymakers in undertaking novel disaster-related practical activities worldwide.

The #MeToo Movement and Perceptions of Sexual Assault: College Students' Recognition of Sexual Assault Experiences Over Time

OBJECTIVE

On October 15, 2017, Alyssa Milano encouraged anyone who had been sexually harassed or assaulted to respond on Twitter with the phrase, #MeToo. Millions responded and a cultural reckoning ensued. Anecdotally, the #MeToo movement appears to have affected survivors' acceptance and acknowledgment of their own sexual assault experiences, but empirical evidence is lacking. To address this gap, the aim of this study was to examine associations between behavioral and labeled reports of sexual assault and time since the #MeToo movement began.

METHODS

Participants were 2,566 college students who completed a sexual assault survey over the course of three years, overlapping with the onset of the #MeToo movement.

RESULTS

Regarding our hypothesis that the prevalence of sexual assault - indicated by standardized behaviorally specific questions - would be relatively constant over time after controlling for demographics, a Bayesian logistic regression model yielded inconclusive results. However, among the 596 students who endorsed behaviorally specific screeners for sexual assault, a Bayesian linear regression model revealed that, after controlling for demographics and characteristics of the assault, participants were increasingly likely to label the experience a "sexual assault" with more time post #MeToo.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, findings revealed no evidence for or against changes in prevalence of sexual assault, but suggested there were associations between the #MeToo movement and greater recognition of past unwanted sexual experiences as "sexual assault" over time. These findings highlight the importance of considering social context in research examining sexual assault survivors' cognitions.

Children's Reactions to Media Coverage of War

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper reviews research on the effects of contact with war media coverage on psychological outcomes in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Children's contact with media coverage of war is pervasive and is associated with numerous outcomes and with their parents' reactions. Younger children are more affected by news stories with visual cues, while older children are more distressed by stories about actual threat. There is a strong theoretical basis for developmental influences on children's war media reactions, but the potential influence of other child factors (e.g., gender, socioeconomic disadvantage, prior trauma, culture, religious and political ideology) and aspects of coverage and the context of contact warrant additional attention. More research also is needed to explore differential effects of media coverage on children with different war exposures, the strategies children use to cope with coverage, and the mediating effects of parental involvement and intervention.

Depression in Youth Exposed to Disasters, Terrorism and Political Violence

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper reviews recent research on the depression in young people following exposure to catastrophic stresses such as disasters, terrorism and political violence.

RECENT FINDINGS

Depression is one of the commonest outcomes following mass trauma, for all ages including children and adolescents. Recent articles continue to report high prevalence of depression which often continues for years. It is often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders, especially PTSD. Post-traumatic depression in children and adolescence affects purpose of life, impairs scholastic achievements, increases suicidality and has extensive comorbidity. Besides the trauma, individual constructs, personality factors, social support, exposure to other traumatic events are some of the predicting factors. Biological and genetic basis of post-traumatic depression has been reported. Studies suggest some benefit to psychotherapeutic interventions such as trauma-focussed cognitive behavioural therapy and web-based therapy. A considerable proportion of youths develop depression following mass traumatic events. More research is required regarding the effectiveness of interventions in this population.

Terrorism Media Effects in Youth Exposed to Chronic Threat and Conflict in Israel

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper reviews the extant research on the effects of contact with terrorism media coverage on psychological outcomes in youth in the context of chronic threat and conflict in Israel.

RECENT FINDINGS

The extant research is inconclusive with respect to the relationship between media contact and a variety of psychological outcomes in Israeli studies of youth exposed to ongoing threat and repeated terrorist attacks. Additional research is needed to examine potential differences in outcomes and the factors that influence youth coping and adaptation in an environment of chronic threat and extensive media coverage. Moreover, studies are needed to identify and evaluate potential parental, professional, and social strategies to enhance youth adjustment. Because political conflict in Israel is not likely to abate in the near future, the setting is ideal to conduct methodologically rigorous research including research using representative samples, prospective reporting, and longitudinal design.

Relation of High Social Capital to Preferable Emotional Response to News Media Broadcasting of Natural Disasters: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

Media coverage of disasters potentially damages mental health. Moreover, its effects may differ as recipients may have different emotional responses toward media. The present study examined whether social capital, known to be protective against mental problems, influences a recipient's emotional response toward news media broadcasting of natural disasters via newspapers, television and internet in Japan. Three social capital components, social participation, social support and cognitive social capital, were considered in the present study as each component reportedly had different effect on mental health. This nationwide cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2015 among 1,200 Japanese citizens aged 15 to 79 years who were selected using the multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected via the drop-off pick-up method using a printed structured questionnaire. Negative and positive emotions were classified based on recipients' responses against news media. Among 1,190 participants who reported emotions toward news media, 30.9% (368) had experienced any natural disasters, 37.4% (445) belonged to at least one formal or informal organization (social participation), 40.2% (478) had high social support, and 68.8% (819) had high cognitive social capital. High social support was associated with both reduced negative emotional response (OR 0.66, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.47-0.93) and increased positive emotional response (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.04-2.12) in multivariate analyses, while high cognitive social capital was only associated with increased positive emotional response (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.11-2.37). These results suggest protective effects of social support and cognitive social capital against news media coverage of natural disasters.

Media Exposure and General Trust as Predictors of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Ten Years after the 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake in China

There is a paucity of literature on the roles of media exposure, general trust, and their interactions in long-term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after a natural disaster. Trying to address this knowledge gap, our study aimed to (a) investigate whether exposure to media coverage during the traumatic event and general trust directly affected adult survivors’ long-term PTSD symptoms 10 years after the 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake, and (b) to identify the potential differential pattern of the influence of media exposure on PTSD symptoms for adult survivors with various levels of general trust. Using cross-sectional methodology, we surveyed participants (N = 1000) recruited from six disaster-affected counties. We assessed PTSD symptoms, media exposure, general trust, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and earthquake exposure. Data were analyzed descriptively and with Tobit regression analyses. Reversed relationships between general trust and PTSD were verified, whereas no direct links were found between media exposure and PTSD. Interaction tests revealed that media exposure alleviated PTSD for high-trust survivors, but aggravated PTSD for low-trust survivors. These results suggest that general trust building should be considered in post-disaster construction activities.