Adolescents and nuclear arms issues.

Concerned about adolescents' reactions to the ever present nuclear threat, we surveyed 10,720 high school students in New Jersey, U.S.A. Half felt anxious about an accidental war and expected a major nuclear blast. One-quarter expected a nuclear war involving the United States, and one-fifth expected to die in a nuclear blast. Most expected the United States to be destroyed if a major nuclear war occurred, did not believe that long term survival after the initial exchanges is possible, or that civil defense preparations can be effective. Responses were similar across economic background, time period and type of high school.