Thanks to Marilyn Mackay for telling me that I omitted to post this:

Abstract and (additional) summary of a talk for the conference "Zukunft
beginnt gestern" (The Future Starts Yesterday), Swiss societies of
paediatric psychiatry, Fribourg, June 1999. Conference chair Prof. Patrick
Haemmerle.

Preventing macrosocially caused anxiety.
Abstract

Michael Macpherson M.R.C.P.(U.K.)
Psycho-Social and Medical Research PSAMRA/Integral Studies,
Berlin FRG

Do "doomsday" threats such as ABC war, global environmental decompensation
or economic collapse cause damage to mental health or human development?

From a different point of view, anxiety, even fear or terror, may well be
seen as "healthy" responses to perceived danger. Assuming this danger to
be correctly perceived, then these emotional responses are essential to
securing survival of the organism or (for collective threats) the group.

Observed reactions to this type of threat include:
- perception and appraisal versus avoidance of the issues
- confronting, grappling with the issues versus pushing them "out of mind"
(repression, denial)
- lack of knowledge (social and educational causes may be important here)
- coping/defending/adapting
- "getting on" with one's life ("no time" for those problems)
- participating to heal the planet
- crusading.

Which are the healthier responses?

Some evidence about human responses to macrostressors and macroproblems
and their implications for development and health, and an application of
coping theory to macrosocial problems will be reviewed, considering such
factors as the role of anxiety, knowledge and of machismo attitudes. We
draw on own empirical work done from 1985 to 1990 which in 1987 was
awarded a prize of IPPNW "for research contributing to the prevention of
nuclear war".

Public health aspects will be mentioned, drawing on global experience of
health professions with "nuclear deterrence" during the cold war, and on a
support function, with public radio phone-in, offered in Berlin to
parents, teachers and youth during the tense run-up period to the second
Persian Gulf war.

In discussion we will ask colleagues to consider:

How best to respond to macrosocial threats.
How to moderate emotional responses.
How to help other people cope.
How to behave towards young people (very young, children, adolescents).
Ecopsychology of macrosociety, the global world. The role of therapists.
Preparedness for peace - an approach to education.
Lifelong learning and macroproblems: role of the new communication media.
Participation in societal and democractic processes as a requirement for
healthy development. Implications for youth, health professionals,
educators and parents.

____________________________________
Summary & recommendations


PREVENTION OF MACROSOCIAL STRESS

1. Reaction to macrosocial problems and threats

1.1 Teenagers and children, even the very young, know about macrosocial
and global threats.

1.2 Those who express fear are not more prone to develop mental health
problems.

1.3 Some damage to mental well-being, and social pathology resulting from
macrosocial threats, cannot be ruled out.

1.4 Confronting issues such as nuclear war, threats to natural environment
or human starvation, rather than denying or avoiding them, may be
PROTECTIVE to psychosomatic health.

1.4 Being taught about potentially frightening global problems if done
properly does not raise anxiety levels.

continued ...

2. Responses to macrosocial problems and threats

2.1 Active coping in the sense of working to heal the planet and prevent
large scale conflict is usually "healthy".

2.2 Theses and recommendations:
Macrosocial problems and fears are often "taboo", coping with and
responding to these is also taboo. Political behaviour should be regarded
as a norm of human development. Social, political and democratic systems
are major channels for expression of this behaviour. (Delegation to
politicians, governments and politicians is very common. Powerlessness,
apathy and alienation are widespread.)

Individual and collective coping with macrosocial problems requires
effective, broad participation of citizens in public affairs.

Regarding macrosocial and political problems and threats: If channels to
express creativity, social action and resistance are deficient, then
aggression and negative effects on health will result. And, the problems
will remain unsolved.

Further recommendations:
Promote a culture of micro- and macrosocial involvement from the earliest
possible stages of human development.  This must not mean depriving young
people of their right to be and develop as a child.

For professionals this means wearing different "hats" of worker, parent
and and citizen, and intervening in different social fields, with
appropriate strategies.

_________________________

© PSAMRA M J Macpherson