Psychological consequences and coping mechanisms of bomb blast survivors: an insight into the Sri Lankan experience

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the civilian war that has ravaged Sri Lanka for several years. More specifically, it is concerned with the use of bombs as a tool of war and on the psychological consequences of being a victim of a bombing. The diagnostic criteria for two disorders that are commonly associated with such traumatic events, Acute Stress Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are used to identify the psychological consequences and manifested behavior of bomb blast victims in the sample interviewed. The concept of coping in the face of trauma is introduced and the nature of coping strategies reported in the Sri Lankan sample, identified.