Trauma exerts approximately two-fold increased risk for various forms of psychopathology, including anxiety, major depression and behavior problems. Compelling evidence from a variety of studies suggests that an array of early life stressors, constitute a major risk factor for the development and persistence of both mood and anxiety disorders, as they are associated with increased rates of stress-related mental and physical disorders in adulthood. Accumulating evidence from laboratory animal studies on early life stress suggests persistent changes in the function of brain regions pivotal to the meditation of stress and emotion that are similar to the neurobiological alterations exhibited in patients suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. The juvenile stress model might serve as an animal model for developmental-stage-specific symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders, which could then promote the search for a valid diagnostic tool of these disorders in children and adolescents.

This chapter reviews the importance of maintaining a child and adolescent developmental perspective. Studies of the biological, psychological, and behavioral impact of natural disasters on children and adolescents have been growing steadily, with earthquakes and hurricanes being the most widely investigated disasters. A modern public mental health approach to the postdisaster recovery of children, adolescents, adults, and families recognizes the importance of conceptualizing stages of disaster response. A three-tier model for providing postdisaster mental health interventions for children and families includes general psychosocial support to a broad population, specialized interventions for those with severe, persistent distress and impairment, and specialized treatment for high-risk cases that need more intensive psychiatric care. Clinical evaluation and intervention outcome data involve the rigorous clinical evaluation of affected individuals, and are used to examine the contribution of interventions to the course of recovery.