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War-time evacuation puts children at risk

August 24, 2004

Young children who are evacuated from their home during a war can experience long term effects on their psychological well-being that are related to this temporary separation.

Research by psychologists at the University of London found that individuals who were evacuated when they were four to six-years-old experienced more depression and anxiety in adulthood, and breakdowns in their marital relationships, compared to those who had not been evacuated.

These findings were presented today, Saturday 4 September, at the British Psychology Society's Developmental Section Conference which is taking place at Leeds Metropolitan University.

The research, carried out by Stuart Rusby and Fiona Tasker, involved 900 respondents in the 60-70 year age range who were living in Kent during World War II. Respondents completed a questionnaire about their evacuation experiences and a number of measures that assessed their subsequent mental health, adult relationships and marital history.

However the findings also reveal important differences between individuals. Some respondents described evacuation as a positive experience. This appears to be related to the quality of care they received while away from their homes. The age of the children was also critical. Young children were particularly vulnerable, while those who were 13 to15-years-old when evacuated appeared to escape these long term consequences.

Stuart Rusby said: "For those evacuated in their early teens and who had received good care the experience could be a positive one, but for those evacuated in early childhood many were left with an emotional legacy affecting their adult lives."



British Psychological Society (BPS)