Citation

Shevlin M, McGuigan K. Br. J. Clin. Psychol. 2003; 42(Pt 4): 427-432.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, University of Ulster-Magee Campus, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK. m.Shevlin@ulst.ac.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, British Psychological Society)

DOI

10.1348/014466503322528955

PMID

14633417

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In 1972, 13 civil rights marchers were killed in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on what is known as Bloody Sunday. This study aimed to assess the psychological impact of this event on the families of victims as measured by the Revised Impact of Event Scale. DESIGN: Cross-sectional self-report based study. METHODS: The Impact of Event Scale-Revised was administered to 72 members of the families (immediate family, children of immediate family, cousins, and second cousins) of those killed on Bloody Sunday. RESULTS: High levels of intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal were found. In addition, significant group differences were found. Those family members closest to the victims reported the highest levels of psychological distress. CONCLUSION: The findings were discussed within the transgenerational trauma context.

Language: en