Helping Children Cope With Disaster

Parenting Tip

My 6-year-old daughter seems fascinated with the television pictures of Hurricane Katrina. I am concerned about the affect they may be having on her because she is not sleeping as well as she used to and she is asking a lot of fearful questions. What can I do?

Like adults, children are affected by disasters whether they are natural, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires or "man-made" such as war. Children react to disaster based on their level of development and cognitive understanding. Younger children may think the pictures they are seeing on television are close to home, so they become concerned the disaster is a direct threat to them, their family and their home. Older children are better at interpreting what they see on television; however they too may need some parental guidance for overall perspective.

Parents can expect children to respond to disaster in distinct stages. During the first stage, immediately after the disaster, children may exhibit fear, denial and concern about loved ones being harmed. Stage two, which occurs a few days to several weeks later, is when children may also manifest sadness, anxiety, poor sleep, nightmares, etc. These emotions are a normal part of recovery for children and can be expected to last a few weeks. If this behavior appears excessive, doesn't decrease or persists, counseling may be of great benefit.

Regardless of a child's age, parents should provide a thorough explanation of disasters in regard to what children see on television and in newspapers. These discussions should occur whether or not the child asks a question. Explanations should be honest, reasonable and address the child's concern which is usually "How is it going to affect me, my family or my home?" Children may fear their parents may be swept away in the next flood.

A child's fears can only be compounded by this era of 24-hour media coverage of disasters and wars that continue for days or longer. Parents should limit their child's exposure and make it a point to be present when the child watches such reports, in case questions or concerns need to be addressed. When there are questions, parents should carefully listen to what their child is asking, in case there are any underlying concerns that also may need to be discussed.

It can be helpful to involve children, especially older children, in relief efforts after a disaster. Children are empathetic to those affected by the disaster and the feeling of offering support can help relieve a lot of their anxiety.

Probably the most important thing adults can do in times of disaster is to be a good role model. Parents continue to be the adult figure children look toward for protection, comfort, explanation and safety. If parents are apprehensive or agitated, this will influence a child's interpretation of what has happened. Consistent, thoughtful conversation and explanation by parents will help calm most children through an event. Parents should discuss all the ways their children are "safe," how they protect them and discuss plans for coping with disaster that keep families together. All families should have disaster plans that children understand. Fear and separation from parents are a child's most devastating thoughts.

If a child persists in being emotionally upset after a period of time, such as a month or so, and does not seem to be comforted by explanations and discussions, it may be helpful to consult your pediatrician as professional counseling or psychological support may be necessary and is generally quite helpful.

(Dr. Betty Ann Lowe is an Arkansas pediatrician, past Medical Director of Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock and professor emeritus at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.)

Arkansas Children's Hospital is the comprehensive clinical, research and teaching affiliate of the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. UAMS pediatric faculty physicians and surgeons are on staff at Arkansas Children's Hospital.