Beirut explosion : a comparative study between adolescents and adults traumatic symptoms

Abstract

This research study took place after the Beirut explosion which occurred on August 4th, 2020. This event had an influence on numerous individuals of all ages. It is also considered to be traumatic. The occurrence of trauma can be associated with different disorders. These disorders can be anxiety disorders and trauma and stressor related disorders. In this quantitative study, the participants are divided into two age groups which 14-18 years old and 30-40 years old. The study’s aim is to compare the traumatic reactions and responses of both adolescents and adults. The different kinds of traumatic reactions and responses are emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and developmental. The different types of trauma are also discussed which are Natural or Human-Caused Traumas, Individual, Group, Community, and Mass Traumas, Interpersonal Traumas, Developmental Traumas, Political Terror and War, and System-Oriented Traumas: Re-traumatization. However, in this research study, the type of trauma which occurred is Mass Trauma. In addition, the study’s objective is to show whether adolescents or adults have a greater effect after trauma and to compare their symptoms in order to see if Acute Stress Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder occurs more in a specific population. The results of this study showed that only Generalized Anxiety Disorder is correlated with age where it occurs more in adults.