Coping with Disaster: What Psychology Tells Us

When disaster strikes suddenly, human psyche reacts in various ways, including stress and resilience. According to the studies, the majority of people can withstand the event and remain stable or quickly return to the previous level of functioning. Moreover, different factors can influence the way a person recovers after the incident, and all of them should be considered to provide the necessary help to the survivors.

First Aid and Recovery Phase

In the first hours and days after a disaster, the primary role of psychological first aide (PFA) is to stabilize the situation. The main idea is to explain that most people feel terrible after such events, and these feelings are completely normal.

The modified approach to PFA, especially the “Six C’s,” can help people get through the experience. Not only does comfort after the incident reduce the negative effects, but the PFA also focuses on helping the survivor to do whatever they can to cope with the situation. Therefore, the strategy is important for both the helper and the person in need.

Professionals who provide services after a disaster also matter. Psychiatric nurses, for instance, have a profound impact on the patient after an incident if they received proper training. At the same time, PFA is not always beneficial, and the helpers can make the situation worse for the survivor. Additionally, the approach has to be carefully chosen depending on the target group. Although the professionals received general training, applying the similar methods across different populations might bring more harm than benefit.

Active Coping and Avoidance

Months and years after the tragedy, active coping mechanisms appear to be more beneficial for the survivor than avoidance. For example, one study among hurricane victims demonstrated that higher levels of perceived control from traumatic stress predicted lower PTSD symptoms during the first few months after the event.

The study also revealed that sport and physical activity could be beneficial for the mental health of the survivor. Being physically active helps to regain control of life, get distracted from the traumatic experience, and rebuild social connections, which is especially important after disasters. Researchers also found that physical activity was positively correlated with mental health in both aquatic center participants and athletes who survived an earthquake.

Social Connections

Social connections are crucial for everyone after a disaster since they can help to reduce the negative consequences on mental health. Maintaining and developing social ties become critical for the survivor during the recovery period. The fact that people who reported high levels of social support appeared to be more protected against PTSD symptoms emphasizes the importance of a supportive environment after the disaster.

Hope and self-efficacy, along with social connections, help people overcome the traumatic experience and its aftermath. Lack of these protective factors increases the risk of developing mental health issues after the incident. Researchers note that the sense of control over the situation is vital for the survivor; therefore, it is crucial to encourage people to rely on their own resilience.

Resilience and Depression

Resilience is the ability of humans to maintain stability after the disaster. Following the event, the majority of people do not progress to a severe level of functioning. Studies note that the resilience process is dynamic, and the survivor usually reaches a stable level over time. However, in adolescence, PTSD symptoms and the experience of the event itself moderate the development of resilience. Moreover, resilience is individual for every person: mental health service providers should consider this fact and determine whether a person will be able to cope with the situation on their own or receive professional help.

Processing Information After the Event

The way people perceive the information influences their response to it. People who were more responsive to the messages about personal susceptibility reported more negative mood and negative cognitive reactions to the event. According to the study, the critical element in reducing the distress is normalizing the experience and providing practical advice on how to deal with it. Survivors’ processing of written information was successful when the message contained an acknowledgment of personal distress.

Therefore, the cognitive and emotional responses to written information can help the survivor after the disaster. Besides, proper communication can reduce distress in the whole community. In case of PTSD development, the healthcare providers have two major approaches: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both methods are efficient, and recent research shows that the two approaches combined can be even more effective. Additionally, delivering these treatments remotely is also an option for the survivors after a disaster.

Conclusion

In general, the psychological response to the disaster is complex, and people need different tactics to be able to cope with the situation. Right after the event, everyone receives psychological first aid to stabilize their condition. Further interventions focus on maintaining and rebuilding social connections since this is one of the key factors for a successful return to normal life. During the early stages of recovery, psychologists recommend that people use active coping strategies and take part in activities that help them regain control. However, the majority of survivors have inherent resilience to the incident. All these factors are vital to be considered by mental health service providers to ensure that everyone receives the necessary help.

Your Guide to Disaster Coping and Resilience