September 15, 2005

Expert offers tips to help children cope with Katrina's devastation

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, special attention should be given to children, both the victims of the storm and those who have only watched the tragedy on television, says a Purdue University expert.

"Kids are resilient, but we have to recognize that they grieve losses," says Jean Peterson, an associate professor of educational studies in the College of Education who is an expert in counseling school-age children. "Children process grief differently. They might seem OK, or they might be sad and then suddenly put that kind of emotionality aside for a while and play with friends. Their grief is often expressed differently from adult grief."

Many people in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast have lost their homes, jobs, schools, friends and family members. The resulting destruction from flooding has forced many to relocate to other parts of the country. In Louisiana, more than 247,000 public and private school students have been displaced, and in Mississippi, more than 125,000 students must go to school elsewhere.

A disaster such as a hurricane and the resulting floods can be especially tough to handle because it affects so much that is basic to a child’s life and stability: home, family, friends, school. Even memories, represented in pictures and mementoes, often have been destroyed.

"When something like this happens, it's a loss of the way things used to be," Peterson says. "People lose their sense of feeling in control of their lives. It’s hard to find an anchor."

Unlike adults, who can talk about their grief or might turn to drugs and alcohol to numb their pain, children express their grief in less obvious ways, she says, such as:

• Increased incidents of fighting and anger.

• Being lethargic and not wanting to participate in activities normally enjoyed.

• Being distracted easily and not being able to concentrate on schoolwork.

• Sleeping or eating problems.

Peterson says parents and teachers can help children in a number of ways, even though those adults affected by the hurricane are hurting as well.

"When you've lost a home and school and are in a new location, even in a shelter, it's important that parents establish routines for their children – such as regular mealtimes and bedtimes, if possible, and bedtime rituals – just as they would at home," Peterson says. "This sends a message that that despite all the change and horrific initial unpredictability, there will be stability and predictability in their family unit."

It is important that parents and teachers talk to children and acknowledge their sense of loss, but to avoid simply "cheerleading," since that might seem to invalidate feelings, she says.

"Adults shouldn't gloss over such a tragedy but instead tell children that they will be sad for a while and that it's normal to feel sad when things change so much so quickly," Peterson says. "The message can be that it will be difficult for a time, but they are strong. They will make it through."

The effects of the tragedy may affect children for many years to come.

"Any time there is change, whether it's a small or large change, something is left behind. We can’t expect that sense of loss to go away quickly," she says. "The hurricane will likely affect kids in much of the same way that 9/11 affected them. In general, people in this country are not used to major-scale traumas, such as losing whole cities and towns, as with the hurricane. Children and adults as well will have an added sense of vulnerability, whether or not they were affected directly."

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Source: Jean Peterson, (765) 494-9742, jeanp@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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