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Publication #FAR1238

 

How Adolescents Respond to Natural Disasters1

Kate Fogarty2

Figure 1. 
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As parents, it's sometimes difficult to know when to treat our teens as the independent young adults they claim to be, and when to shelter them as we would a younger child. Following a crisis or disaster, understanding just how fragile our teenagers can be is important to helping them get through this difficult time.

Adolescents 12-17 years of age may react much like adults in dealing with trauma. They may also, like children, regress socially and act more selfish, be demanding, and have difficulty getting along with others (Schonfeld, 2002). Teens may feel angry toward authority figures they believe should have protected them, such as the government and parents. They may be likely to seek support and meaning from their peers, as well as parents.

Because teens are developing more abstract thinking, they may try to rationalize a terrible event in order to feel more in control of the situation. Helping a teen to understand that they are not responsible will alleviate feelings of guilt, which are common among adolescents in this time (National Institute of Mental Health, 2001).

In addition, adults need to be understanding and supportive and avoid accusing teens of being selfish or argumentative. As difficult as it might be, parents may need to respect their adolescents' wishes to share their experiences with their peers—within reason, of course. Remember, teens are struggling too, and ultimately they will rely on caring, trusted adults for guidance during this difficult time.

Listening, learning, and living together: it's the science of life. "Family Album" is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and of WUFT-FM. If you'd like to learn more, please visit our website at http://www.familyalbumradio.org.

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References

National Institute of Mental Health. (2001). Helping children and adolescents cope with violence and disasters (NIH Publication No. 01-3518). Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services.

Schonfeld, D. J. (2002). Supporting adolescents in times of national crisis: Potential roles for adolescent health care providers. Journal of Adolescent Health, 30, 302-307.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR1238, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Broadcast as program 278 in January 2007. Published on EDIS September 2012. In the interest of time or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Kate Fogarty, assistant professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.