LIFE EVENTS, WAR AND ADJUSTMENT - LESSONS FOR THE MIDDLE-EAST

This article focused on traumatic stress and adjustment in the Middle East. Conservation of Resources (COR) stress theory was proposed as a template to explain the relationship between traumatic circumstances a nd subsequent adjustment. According to COR theory, moderate and major life events produce negative psychological, functional, and health seq uelae to the extent that resource loss is experienced. Resource loss t hat is developmentally overwhelming, or chronic, or a threat to surviv al was proposed to produce extreme or prolonged adjustment difficultie s. Conversely, the replenishment of resources was seen as alleviating psychological suffering. COR theory was applied broadly to children, a dults, civilians, and military personnel.