The Psychological Well-Being of Children After Terror Attacks in Nairobi County, Kenya

Kenya has experienced numerous terror attacks in the last five years. As a result the general populace has become sensitized on the possibility of a terror attack with increased terror alerts and screening that has become part... [ view full abstract ]

Kenya has experienced numerous terror attacks in the last five years. As a result the general populace has become sensitized on the possibility of a terror attack with increased terror alerts and screening that has become part of public places. This is because terrorism acts by their nature produce extreme levels of stress to those who affected. In the last 5 years more than 1,400 people were killed and more than 5,800 wounded (Pate, Jensen, & Miller, 2015). The Kenyan government has launched a series of initiatives to address the threat and consequences of terrorism. Since terrorism act by nature are unpredictable and meant to create a societal atmosphere of extreme danger and insecurity (Fremont, 2004), it implies that it is very difficult to provide protection physically and psychologically. As a result terrorism act paralyzes an individual by engulfing him/her with a black blanket of fear and uncertainty making both children and adults overly hypersensitive about their safety. Normally the attacks generate heightened psychological feelings of fear and helplessness resulting in distress and high level of stress which compromises the mental health of the citizens (Pynoos, Schreiber, Steinberg, & Pfefferbaum, 2005). This paper will present findings from a research that is being conducted among children aged 13-14 years from selected schools in Westlands and Eastleigh in Nairobi County. The study will employ a descriptive survey design. Tools for data collection are an adapted Child PTSD Checklist- Child Version (CPC-C) for children and a Child Psychosocial Distress Screener (CPDS). The findings of the study will discuss the post psychological effects of terror attacks in children 2 years after the attack. Additionally, the paper will describe the psychological wellbeing of children after terror attacks and finally the paper will examine the school’s psychological support to children who were affected by terror attacks.