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Author Information

Kelly Medeiros

Abstract/Description

Trauma is a pervasive global issue that affects both children and adults. It is officially defined in the most recent Diagnostic Manual as an event that threatens death or serious injury, and that elicits a response of fear, helplessness, or horror (American Psychiatric Association, 2002). Other respected definitions include a “sudden, unexpected, overwhelmingly intense emotional blow....[that] quickly becomes incorporated into the mind” (Terr, 1992, p. 8), and something that makes “both internal and external resources...inadequate to cope with external threat” (Van der Kolk, 1989, p. 393). Literature suggests that people who have experienced trauma may present with symptoms including depression, anxiety, insomnia, phobias, delayed development, difficulty maintaining social relationships, and personality disorders.

Note on the Author

Kelly Medeiros is a senior majoring in social work. With funding from the Adrian Tinsley Program, Kelly was able to conduct this research study and present it at the International Social Work Conference in Chennai, India in January of 2009. Dr. Lucinda King-Frode provided guidance and encouragement throughout the research process by acting as Kelly’s mentor.

Rights Statement

Articles published in The Undergraduate Review are the property of the individual contributors and may not be reprinted, reformatted, repurposed or duplicated, without the contributor’s consent.

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