Trauma In Adolescence

With regards to sexual development, adolescents often engage in sexual behaviors where the average girl is thought to engage in her first intercourse at age 17 whereas it is age 16 for the typical boy (Papalia et al., 2008). Sexual risk taking behaviors during adolescents often concerns the contraction of sexually transmitted behaviors and pregnancy for heterosexual relationships (Papalia et al., 2008). In terms of social development, relationships with family, peers and adult society, adolescents are believed to spend more time with peers than they do with their family. Fundamental to the developmental tasks of adolescence is that of forming meaningful peer relationships as friendships during adolescence years tend to become more reciprocal,

Individuals can only overcome trauma through the existential framework by therapists providing support to individuals as whole beings whilst offering a safe channel in which they can explore their world and reconnect with themselves (Corbett & Milton, 2011).

Variations of Cognitive behavioral therapies are the most effective and commonly used treatment for Post traumatic stress disorder among adolescents (Black, Woodworth, Tremblay & Carpenter, 2012). Individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy can decrease psychological harm among symptomatic children and adolescents who have been exposed to trauma. Likewise, cognitive behavioral therapy is considered a logical therapeutic technique for adolescents developing anxiety symptoms after experiencing recent waves of terrorism (Pine & Cohenb, 2002). Trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy is aimed at assisting adolescents to learn skills that they will need to cope with the stress brought on by traumatic memories (Black, Woodworth, Tremblay & Carpenter, 2012). Additionally, trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy provides traumatized adolescents with psychoeducation, relaxation skills, affective expression and modulation and cognitive coping skills (Black et al., 2012). Adolescents are

Also, adolescents residing in urban communities experience high rates of traumas and severe life stressors such as poverty, homelessness, social conflict, interpersonal violence, sexual and physical abuse, and personal health threats among others (Ickovics, Meade, Kershaw, Milan, Lewis & Ethier, 2006). The risk of trauma related psychopathology may increase through adolescents’ experience of previous traumatization, childhood adverse life events and disruption in social support networks (Murtonen et al., 2012). Other risk factors associated with PTSD include family history of psychiatric disorders, life stress, low socioeconomic status and low educational level (Murtonen, Suomalainen, Haravuori, & Marttunen, 2012). If untreated, adolescents who have been exposed to severe trauma may develop chronic PTSD and mood disorders (Murtonen, Suomalainen, Haravuori, & Marttunen, 2012). A study which examined post-disaster adaptation and post traumatic growth among Norwegian children and adolescents returning home post aftermath of the 2004 tsunami found children and adolescents to have reduced disaster related trauma as they were reintegrated into their homes which provided them with safety,