Loss of the Safety Signal in Childhood and Adolescent Trauma

Abstract

Loss of the "safety signal" in childhood and adolescent trauma is examined in this chapter. Bully-free programs examine the impact of losing one's safety signal as bullying is recognized as a significant problem in transitioning both childhood and adulthood in our twenty-first century. The domestic violence literature along with research associated with prisoners of war and victims of violence has known the safety signal theory since Martin Seligman wrote his book on Learned Helplessness (Seligman 1975). Bullying is another form of victimization that has gained considerable attention in the last quarter of the twenty-first century. Bullying experienced in the schools is something most children encounter in one form or another during school age. Children and adults struggle with being called names, being picked upon, and with being intimidated and rejected or excluded among peers and in the school, work, home, and living environment. Even though bullying has been around since time began, little attention has been given to the long-term effects of bullying behavior on both the victim and the perpetrator. Examined are research and clinical studies addressing bullying. Bullying behavior is any form of hurtful behavior toward another child that is disruptive to emotional well-being of the victim. The importance of understanding how both children and adults process and accommodate the trauma of bullying is addressed as is the importance of understanding the safety signal in coping with bullying situations. Clinical issues that need to be addressed are explored as are resources in treating victims of bullying behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)