After introductory material focusing on the nature of children's awareness of nuclear weapons, the anxieties of preschool and school age children are described. Topics discussed include fear of the bomb, fear of loss of family members, level of cognitive development and understanding of nuclear processes, and helping younger children cope. Adult defences against nuclear threat are pointed out prior to a discussion of the responses of adolescents and youth to nuclear threat. Specific attention is given to youth's changing attitudes toward nuclear threat, defending against anxiety, living without a sense of future, inability to identify with helpless role models, cynicism and learned helplessness, and the preemption of developmental tasks. Concluding remarks deal with the role of the family as a supportive buffer protecting children from psychological damage by outside threats and, briefly, the role of the school in providing instruction concerning issues related to nuclear war. A short bibliography concludes the report. (RH)