Understanding the Emotional Responses of Children

Factors that Influence the Emotional Impact on Children in Emergencies

This is information from the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention’s website. This page will likely not be updated frequently so please refer back to the source for the most up to date information.

The emotional impact of an emergency on a child depends on a child’s characteristics and experiences, the social and economic circumstances of the family and community, and the availability of local resources. Not all children respond in the same ways. Some might have more severe, longer-lasting reactions. The following specific factors may affect a child’s emotional response:

  • Direct involvement with the emergency
  • Previous traumatic or stressful event
  • Belief that the child or a loved one may die
  • Loss of a family member, close friend, or pet
  • Separation from caregivers
  • Physical injury
  • How parents and caregivers respond
  • Family resources
  • Relationships and communication among family members
  • Repeated exposure to mass media coverage of the emergency and aftermath
  • Ongoing stress due to the change in familiar routines and living conditions
  • Cultural differences
  • Community resilience

You can find the article from the CDC here.

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