Psychological impact of long-term political violence: An exploration of community service users.

considerations raise a range of questions. How do violence and trauma affect the individual socially and psychologically? How long does this effect last? Does everybody who has experienced a traumatic event need therapeutic interventions? What kinds of intervention are effective? Is the concept of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appropriate or helpful? In this article, we draw attention to the effects of trauma circumstances, individual factors, and social and cultural environment on the psychologi-cal health of people affected by traumatic events in Northern Ireland. Data show that despite the cease-fires, increased funding resources, governmental policies, and community support systems, recovery