Cultural Issues in Terrorism and in Response to Terrorism

Cultural, religious, and ethnic differences are important elements in the prevention, assessment, and treatment of post-terrorism psychological sequelae. Cultural issues may contribute to the emergence of terrorism, reactions to terrorism, and recovery from terrorism. Culture, thus, can function as an instigator, buffer, healer, and transmitter of trauma (Danieli, 1998, 2003; also see Introduction, this volume).