Paper Contents
Abstract
Terrorism, as a persistent global phenomenon, exerts devastating effects not only on physical security but also on psychological well-being. This study systematically analyzes the impact of terrorism on mental health, synthesizing evidence from 18 peer-reviewed studies across diverse geographical and cultural contexts. Using PRISMA guidelines, research was selected to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and other psychological outcomes among survivors, refugees, first responders and indirectly exposed populations. The findings reveal consistently high prevalence rates of PTSD, depression and anxiety, with women, children, displaced persons and frontline personnel disproportionately affected. Shortterm effects include acute stress reactions and adjustment difficulties, while long-term consequences manifest as chronic PTSD, prolonged grief and impaired social functioning. The analysis further highlights that resilience and coping strategies vary across demographic groups, influenced by social support, occupation and cultural context. These results underscore terrorisms role as a major public health challenge, necessitating targeted interventions, integrated mental health services and communitybased resilience programs. By identifying both vulnerabilities and protective factors, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of terrorisms psychological toll and offers evidence to guide future policy and intervention strategies
Copyright
Copyright © 2025 Darakshan, Dr. Dinesh Mandot . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
