ABSTRACT
The concept of trauma has been widely studied, both in the short- and long-term effects of adversities on individuals, families, and communities (Figley, 1988; Kleber & Brom, 1992). Trauma involving an entire nation has been little explored. A national trauma is defined as a singular catastrophic event that has a pervasive effect on the whole nation. Compared to adversities that befall individuals or families, national catastrophes have been less examined because:
Individual and family traumatic events by and large outnumber national traumatic events.
By definition, a national trauma implies a crisis situation that calls for immediate interventions rather than objective study.
During a national trauma, the professional person who is an observer of an event is also more than likely to be a “wounded” eyewitness (participant).
