Post Traumatic Stress Disorder After Earthquake and Tsunami and Child Behavior Among Students of Banda Aceh

The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after the earthquake and tsunami on children's behavior and to identify how coping behavior of children who suffer from PTSD when their memories on traumatic event occur. The study was carried out in Banda Aceh from July until October 2010. The study is a qualitative reseach. The research method was based on a case study of students of SMPN 1 Peukan Bada, Banda Aceh, who showed by symptoms of PTSD. Data were collected by using observation, interview, and Pain’s PTSD Assessment-based questionnaire. The results indicated various PTSD symptoms, namely, flashbacks (ex. recalling in the mind or in a dream; physical responses such as hard breathing, uncontrolled trembling or increasing heart rate; emotional reactions such as extreme fear, irritability or easily surprised, and aversion to others, places or activities associated with the traumatic event). These PTSD symptoms had changed behaviors of the subjects, such as difficulty in concentrating, changes in sleep patterns, withdrawal from the environment, avoiding places, other people or something related to a traumatic event, an irrational fear of the sea, nightmares, irritability or easily angry. The research concluded that subjects’ behavioral changes were caused by their traumatic event experiences. In addition, this study indicated that coping behavior of the subjects involved overcoming fear feeling, memories or nightmares through activities such as playing, reading and reciting al-Quran.
Key Word: PTSD, Children’s behavior, Tsunami Aceh.