PSYCHOMATIC IMPLICATIONS OF CONFINEMENT BY TERRORISTS (FROM DIMENSIONS OF VICTIMIZATION IN THE CONTEXT OF TERRORISTIC ACTS, 1977, BY RONALD D. CRELINSTEN SEE NCJ-60018)

• NCJ Number: 60019
• Author(s): W T ROTH
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: Universite de Montreal, Centre International de Criminologie Comparee
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

THE VICTIM OF A TERRORIST INCIDENT HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO A SITUATION WHICH MAY RESULT IN PHYSICAL CHANGES THAT HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HEALTH OF THE VICTIM, INCLUDING ALTERATION OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.

Abstract

THE EXTREMELY UNPLEASANT SITUATION OF BEING THE VICTIM OF TERRORISM HAS AN IMPACT WHICH REACHES FAR BEYOND THE TIME OF CAPTURE, AN IMPACT THAT MAY CAUSE FURTHER STRESS REACTIONS. BODILY STRESS AFFECTS THE SKELETAL MUSCULAR SYSTEM, THE AUTOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, AND THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM, AND ALTERS THE PERSON'S ABILITY TO THINK AND ACT. SURVIVORS OF PRISON CAMP EXPERIENCES HAVE HIGHER MORTALITY RATES THAN DO MATCHED GROUPS THAT ESCAPED INCARCERATION. ACCIDENT RATES AND ALCOHOLISM ARE HIGHER THAN AVERAGE FOR RECENTLY RELEASED PERSONS. EXPRISONERS ALSO HAVE HIGHER INCIDENCES OF DISEASE, ALTHOUGH FACTORS SUCH AS MALNOURISHMENT HAVE AN EFFECT ON THEIR HEALTH. EVEN BRIEF EXPOSURE TO TRAUMATIC CIRCUMSTANCES CAN LEAD TO EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWNS AND ULCERS. VARIATIONS IN REACTION TO STRESS RESULT FROM PERSONALITY DIFFERENCES AND VARYING PAST EXPERIENCES. ALTHOUGH REACTIONS TO BEING CAPTURED VARY BETWEEN PERSONS, THE STRESSOR, AT LEAST, IS EXTERNALLY SIMILAR FOR EVERYONE, SO THAT INVESTIGATIONS OF DIFFERENT COPING MECHANISMS ARE SIMPLIFIED. POLICYMAKERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT NO EXACT EVIDENCE YET EXISTS CONCERNING THE PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, AND THAT ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION IS REQUIRED. TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)