Background. The topic of the psychological consequences of mass disasters for children and adolescents (victims of natural and man-made disasters, military conflicts, terrorism), and also the corresponding risks, threats to their mental development is insufficiently covered in modern psychology. Difficulties in carrying out research cause their quite a small number in relation to the children's population.

The Objective of the analytical theoretical research is 1. to study the general state of the issue and the most discussed modern models of experiencing mass disasters and its impact on the psychological well-being of children and adolescents who are victims and witnesses of mass natural cataclysms, socio-anthropogenic and technogenic catastrophes; 2. to conduct cultural and historical analysis of the issue; 3. to handle central discussion issues regarding the prevention of destructive psychological reactions in the younger generation.

Progress Report. In the theoretical and analytical research, an array of ideas about the psychological consequences of mass disasters for the younger generation is consistently considered from the early historic periods up to modern days. A critical analysis of the main methodologies that lie in the basis of most modern research is presented, and finally, the paper considers the possibilities of systematic cultural and historical analysis in the framework of the issue stated in the title, including the prevention of destructive psychological reactions.

Research Results. The analysis has revealed the partiality and diversity of research models, the often inconsistent conclusions drawn on the basis of their research development; discussion on issues of preventive intervention.

Conclusion. The integrative possibilities of cultural and historical analysis are shown, including the methodology of the research carried out earlier, the possibilities of designing preventive measures that increase the psychological stability of children and adolescents to the traumatic consequences of extreme situations. The essence of the proposed approach is the cultural and historical understanding of internal and external causes and mechanisms of various posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the nature of care and work with them, and also in the possibilities of diagnosing "weaknesses", premises for the development of such disorders in the conditions of a society.