Israeli School and Community Response to War Trauma

Abstract

This article presents a review of literature focusing on mental health clinicians who have responded to war trauma in their work with children in Israeli schools. The review provides a brief introduction to the country's war history and inception of school psychological and counselling services. Within this framework, results of empirical research, methods of assessment and multisystemic interventions are reviewed. Research results acknowledge the school as a major source of social support and facilitator of recovery. Family cohesion and parent symptomatology are also significant predictors of stress and anxiety, especially in early childhood. Recommendations for clinical and school use are included.