Over the past two decades, natural disasters, terrorist acts, and war affected many countries. Many survivors and/or their families were left with psychological scars, mostly trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both disorders are often mentally, physically and socially debilitating. Different psychotherapeutic techniques can be offered to help people with trauma and PTSD, each has its benefits and limitations. As new psychological interventions emerge, society and culture play a major role in their implementation. In this special issue we will examine trauma/PTSD management techniques in different cultures, and the effect of new psychological interventions such as EMDR and mindfulness based CBT. We will also explore the role of society, culture impact and psychological awareness in preventing and/or treating trauma and PTSD.

The world is rapidly changing, and so are our young generations. Psychologists from the East and West are half the worlds apart, who sometimes are not keeping up with that pace, especially in regards to adolescent development in Asia which apparently has distinctive pace. With cultural heritages diluted and mosaic by multicultural societies, technology and mobility creating new global perspectives overlaid on that of previous generations with interpretations mediated by social media, many of the classic findings of adolescent psychology are outmoded. This proposed issue will offer us some fresh and updated perspectives on adolescents. It will also meet the needs of psychologists currently studying adolescent psychology and development anywhere in the world.