Explain how prolonged terrorist attacks, such as Hamas regularly launching rockets aimed at Israeli civilians, affects individuals as opposed to the affect of isolated terrorist attacks
Prolonged terrorist attacks produce unique psychological impacts on individuals compared to isolated terrorist attacks. People exposed to prolonged terrorist attacks are likely to be functionally impaired (Maguen et al., 2008). They may not recover from past life stressors. On the contrary, individuals who have been exposed to isolated terrorist attacks are likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorders and depressive symptoms (Maguen et al., 2008). Isolated terrorist attacks increase feelings of panic and fear. Conversely, prolonged terrorist attacks may adversely affect a person’s well-being (Gal, 2014). Some direct victims may constantly recall the events, which may alter their worldview.
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Unlike individuals who have been exposed to isolated terrorist attacks, people who continuously witness prolonged terrorist attacks are likely to develop resilience. Individuals who have encountered a series of terrorist attacks are likely to resist and recover from events that may cause harm (Gal, 2014). Some develop strong patriotism and are strong-willed to challenge people who want to destroy them or their country. On the contrary, isolated terrorist attacks create fear and panic among the direct and indirect victims. Some people may believe that God is punishing them (Walker & Aten, 2012). The survivors of prolonged terrorist attacks are likely to develop a positive worldview. Some may claim that God has protected them throughout the series of attacks (Walker & Aten, 2012). As a result, they are likely to develop positive stress coping mechanisms compared to individuals who have been exposed to isolated terrorist attacks.
Furthermore, people who have witnessed prolonged terrorist attacks are willing to share their experiences compared to individuals who have been exposed to isolated terrorist attacks. Continued terrorist attacks may make people resilient to stressful conditions, and thus, they may be open to sharing their experiences with media companies (Thoresen et al., 2014). People who are used to prolonged terrorist attacks may not develop anxiety by watching the news or giving testimonies. On the contrary, people exposed to isolated terrorist attacks may not have recovered from the traumatic events making it challenging for them to share their experiences.
Which is more difficult for the individual—prolonged terrorist attacks or isolated attacks?
Isolated terrorist attacks pose more significant mental health risks to individuals compared to prolonged terrorist attacks. Children, for example, are among the direct victims of isolated terrorist attacks. When children lose their parents or are separated from their families, they are likely to develop feelings of anger, depression, panic, and fear (Silke, 2003). Some children may not be able to socialize with their peers. In some instances, the children may relive the traumatic experiences in their dreams, creating further anxiety and panic.
On the contrary, children who have been exposed to prolonged terrorist attacks are likely to develop resilience towards traumatic events. Adults exposed to isolated terrorist attacks may report lower mental health outcomes than adults who have witnessed prolonged terrorist attacks. For example, the people exposed to the 9/11 terrorist attack, including witnessing dead bodies and injuries, had a high level of distress and adverse mental health outcomes two years after the event (Maguen et al., 2008). Conversely, prolonged terrorist attacks improve the mental health of the victims. Most of them develop the survival mentality; they learn how to manage and contain stress associated with terrorist attacks (Gal, 2014). For this reason, exposure to prolonged terrorist attacks enhances the victims’ recovery.
Isolated terrorist attacks adversely affect individuals’ perceptions. Some of them become hypervigilant and make decisions based on these events. They fear the terrorist attacks may recur in the future and advocate for increased precautionary measures (Maguen et al., 2008). Isolated terrorist attacks make people paranoid. For this reason, they may be unable to recover from the hatred they have towards the perpetrators. Some children enrol into terrorist groups to avenge their parents (Silke, 2003). In some cases, the victims may blame themselves for failing to protect their loved ones. Conversely, individuals exposed to prolonged terrorist attacks may consider traumatic events as normal parts of their lives. As a result, feelings of vengeance and hatred may be in victims of prolonged terrorist attacks are lower than those exposed to isolated terrorist attacks.
References
Gal, R. (2014). Social resilience in times of protracted crises: An Israeli case study. Armed Forces & Society (0095327X), 40(3), 452. https://search-ebscohost-com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=98673281&site=eds-live&scope=site
Maguen, S., Papa, A., & Litz, B. (2008). Coping with the threat of terrorism: A review. Anxiety, Stress & Copin g, 21(1), 15–35. https://doi-org.proxy-library.ashford.edu/10.1080/10615800701652777
Silke, A. (Ed.). (2003). Terrorists, victims and society: Psychological perspectives on terrorism and its consequences . Wiley
Thoresen, S., Jensen, T. K., & Dyb, G. (2014). Media participation and mental health in terrorist attack survivors. Journal of Traumatic Stress , 27(6), 639–646. https://doi-org.proxy-library.ashford.edu/10.1002/jts.21971
Walker, D. F., & Aten, J. D. (2012). Future directions for the study and application of religion, spirituality, and trauma research. Journal of Psychology and Theology , 40(4), 349. https://search-ebscohost-com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.314565114&site=eds-live&scope=site
