Posttraumatiese stressindroom : impak op die gesinsisteem van die primêre slagoffers : 'n opvolgstudie van die Westdene-busramp

M.A.This study, regarding the long-term effects of the Westdene bus-disaster, which was undertaken after a period of seven years, has the following objectives: A survey of the literature regarding disasters and posttraumatic stress. An investigation of the long-term effects of the trauma on the secondary victims of the trauma, namely the family systems of the primary victims. The role and function of the family in the primary victims' coping and recovery from the trauma. The effect the trauma has on the family system after a period of seven years. A survey to establish the long-term effects of the therapeutic inputs regarding the secondary victims after the trauma. The first part of the study explores the theory regarding posttraumatic stress. The study comes to the conclusion that stress and trauma cannot only be viewed as a linear matter, but that psychological and contextual factors play an important role in the extent to which an event is experienced as stressful or not. It seems clear that the trauma does not only affect the individual victim, but the family system of which the individual forms a part of, is also affected by the stressful events. The study therefore examines the family of the primary victim with a systems theory approach. Therefore: How the family encounters and copes with stress, and how the family affects/influences the coping strategies of the primary victim. The study differentiates between normative and non-normative stressors and family adjustment. The study was conducted from a qualitative perspective. A certain amount of stress is already present in the family of the adolescent. This is the result of the adolescents' development towards independence and the forming is disrupted by the occurrence of a stressful non-normative event. The primary victim can therefore not be studied in isolation, but other mediating factors should be included in the investigation. One of these factors is the family of the victim, who plays an important part in the coping with the stressful event. With regard to psychological therapy and the long-term effects of such interventions, the researcher comes to the conclusion that developmental processes in interaction with a supportive psychological climate contributes to the realistic coping and acceptance of the trauma. The following points of criticism against the study can be raised: Other factors, such as divorce, "empty-nest-syndrome" and the death of a family member can have an effect on the current functioning of the family system. The family of the primary victim has experienced normative adjustment and changes during the seven year that has lapsed since the disaster. The families that have experienced the most trauma as a result of the disaster, did not partake in this study. The study made the following recommendations: That intensive studies, on the short-term and the long-term, should be undertaken of the families of disaster victims; that research and literature regarding posttraumatic stress should place more emphasis on the role, function and effect of the trauma on the family systems of the disaster victims; the establishing of a natural institute, which includes the extended family, for the minimising of the long-term effects of a trauma. Although trauma is defined in a linear perspective, it should be seen within a bigger ecosystemic content, which includes the systems of the disaster victims. This view would probably result in more positive coping strategies regarding traumatic events