Çocuklarda Dolaylı Travmatik Maruziyetin Psikolojik Etkileri

Öz

Bu araştırma, Narin Güran Cinayeti örneği üzerinden, travmatik toplumsal olaylara dolaylı maruz kalan 11–13 yaş grubu çocukların psikolojik etkilenme süreçlerini afet ve kriz ruh sağlığı perspektifinden incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Toplumsal travmaların yalnızca doğrudan mağdurları değil, medya ve sosyal çevre aracılığıyla olaya tanıklık eden bireyleri de etkileyebildiği; özellikle çocuklarda travmatik stres, korku, güvensizlik ve kaygı gibi belirtilere yol açabildiği bilinmektedir. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden betimleyici fenomenolojik desen temelinde yürütülmüş; çalışma grubunu Van ili Tuşba ilçesinde öğrenim gören ve olaydan haberdar olan, dolaylı mağruziyet yaşayan 22 ortaokul öğrencisi oluşturmuştur. Veriler yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu aracılığıyla toplanmış ve tematik analiz yöntemiyle çözümlenmiştir. Bulgular, çocukların travmatik olayı bilişsel, duygusal ve ilişkisel düzeyde deneyimlediklerini; özellikle aileye, güvene ve dünyanın güvenli olduğuna ilişkin temel varsayımlarında sarsılmalar yaşadıklarını göstermektedir. Çocukların baş etme süreçlerinde korunmaya yönelik davranışlar ve dua etme, Allah’a sığınma ve Allah’tan korunma isteme gibi manevi/dini baş etme stratejilerinin yanı sıra kaçınma, genelleşmiş korku ve güvensizlik gibi olumsuz tepkiler de gözlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak çalışma, travmatik olayların medya yoluyla dolaşıma girmesinin çocuk ruh sağlığı üzerinde önemli riskler oluşturduğunu ortaya koymakta; afet ve kriz yönetimi kapsamında çocuklara yönelik psikososyal destek mekanizmalarının güçlendirilmesi, medya içeriklerinin etik çerçevede düzenlenmesi ve travmaya duyarlı koruyucu müdahalelerin geliştirilmesi gerektiğine işaret etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• İkincil Travma
• Çocuk Ruh Sağlığı
• Dolaylı Travmatik Maruziyet
• Afet ve Kriz Psikolojisi
• Toplumsal Travma

Psychological Effects of Vicarious Traumatic Exposure in Children

Öz

This study aims to examine, from a disaster and crisis mental health perspective, the psychological experiences of children aged 11–13 who were indirectly exposed to a traumatic social event, using the Narin Güran murder as a case example. Traumatic social events can affect not only direct victims but also individuals who are indirectly exposed through media and their social environment. Such exposure may be associated with traumatic stress, fear, insecurity, and anxiety, particularly among children. The study employed a qualitative research approach using a descriptive phenomenological design. The study group consisted of 22 middle school students aged 11–13 who were attending schools in the Tuşba district of Van, were aware of the incident, and had experienced indirect exposure to it. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings showed that the children experienced the traumatic event at cognitive, emotional, and relational levels. In particular, their fundamental assumptions about family, trust, and the safety of the world were challenged. In coping with these experiences, children reported protective behaviors and spiritual/religious coping strategies, including praying, seeking refuge in God, and asking God for protection. At the same time, negative responses such as avoidance, generalized fear, and insecurity were also observed. Overall, the study indicates that the circulation of traumatic events through media may pose significant risks to children’s mental health. The findings highlight the need to strengthen psychosocial support mechanisms for children within disaster and crisis management, promote ethical standards in media coverage, and develop trauma-informed preventive interventions.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Secondary Trauma
• Child Mental Health
• Indirect Traumatic Exposure
• Disaster and Crisis Psychology
• Social Trauma

Kaynakça

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