THE VIOLENT AND DISRUPTIVE EVENTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS HAVE PRESENTED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS OF PEOPLE UNDER SEVERE ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS. VARIOUS STUDIES SHOW THERE HAS BEEN NO INCREASE IN PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS AS A RESULT OF THE CIVIL DISTURBANCES; IN FACT, THE INCIDENCE OF CERTAIN TYPES OF MENTAL ILLNESS HAS DROPPED--NOTABLY, DEPRESSIVE REACTIONS AND SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. THOSE MANIFESTING VIOLENT AND OTHER ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR ARE LESS OSTRACIZED THAN UNDER PEACEFUL CONDITIONS, AND THE SOCIAL ISOLATION OF SUCH TYPES IS REDUCED BY COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR HOSTILE ACTIONS AGAINST 'THE ENEMY.' IF THE DEFINITION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTURBANCE IS RESTRICTED TO ANXIETY SYMPTOMS OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF EMOTIONAL UPSET, ITS INCIDENCE IS LOW AMONG CHILDREN. THOSE FEW CHILDREN WHO DO DEVELOP SUCH SYMPTOMS ARE SAID TO BE THE VULNERABLE, ANXIETY PRONE CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS USUALLY COMMUNICATE SIMILAR ANXIETY SYMPTOMS. THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG JUVENILES. THE GENERAL SOCIAL APPROVAL OF HOSTILE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ACTION AGAINST 'THE ENEMY' IS BELIEVED TO HAVE PROVIDED AN ACCEPTED CATHARTIC RELEASE FOR EMOTIONS WHOSE SUPPRESSION UNDER MORE NORMALIZED PEACEFUL CONDITIONS FREQUENTLY LEADS TO DRUG ABUSE AND VANDALISM. WHILE THE ACTING OUT OF VIOLENT FEELINGS IS BELIEVED TO HAVE REDUCED PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS, PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNG MALES, IT IS PREDICTED THAT SUCH PROLONGED APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR WILL REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT NONVIOLENT, SOCIALIZED BEHAVIOR WILL PREVAIL SHOULD A PEACEFUL POLITICAL SETTLEMENT BE REACHED. IT IS EXPECTED THAT CRIMINALITY WILL BE A MAJOR PROBLEM UNDER ANY FUTURE IMPOSITION OF A PEACEFUL ORDER. IT IS PROPOSED THAT IN THE EVOLUTION TOWARD A MORE PEACEFUL STRUCTURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR BE INVOLVED IN DECISIONMAKING WHICH WILL HELP THEM PERCEIVE AND ACCEPT THE VALUES OF A LESS VIOLENT WAY OF LIFE. (RCB)