Title
The Impact of Bombing Attacks on Civilians in Iraq
Source of Publication
International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling
Abstract
Research on the effects of experiencing a bomb attack has yielded considerable literature on related mental health matters. However, there is a paucity of studies looking at the psychological consequences and mental health effects following bombing attacks specifically in relation to civilians in Iraq. This qualitative study involving 11 adults (M = 6, F = 5) aimed to investigate how people who had experienced a potentially trauma inducing event of being in a bomb attack made sense of the experience and attempted to cope with it. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcripts analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA; Smith and Osborn 2003). Four overarching themes emerged: 1) mental and physical health problems, 2) interpersonal relationship issues, 3) changes in attachment, and 4) attempts to cope. Participants revealed that exposure to a bomb attack had a major effect on their psychological well-being and also fragmented their personal relationships. Nevertheless, a variety of coping strategies were identified. The study adds to an understanding of how psychological difficulties continue and affect recovery. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.
Document Type
Article
First Page
273
Last Page
285
Publication Date
12-1-2013
DOI
10.1007/s10447-013-9182-z
Recommended Citation
Freh, Fuaad Mohammed; Dallos, Rudi; and Chung, Man Cheung, "The Impact of Bombing Attacks on Civilians in Iraq" (2013). Scopus Indexed Articles. 1895.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/scopus-indexed-articles/1895