Psychological first aid and treatment approach to children exposed to community violence: Research implications

Abstract

This paper discusses research findings and their implications regarding children's responses to community violence. It outlines (1) theory and findings, (2) early intervention and psychological first aid, and (3) treatment approaches following a violent event. In each section we discuss post-traumatic stress, grief, worry about a significant other, and experience with previous trauma. Detailed steps for psychological first aid are outlined according to age and grade level. Intervention strategies are proposed for each category of response with designed interventions for the classroom, the family, the individual, and the group.