Ecologically Based, Culturally Concordant Responding Following Disasters

Abstract

This article reviews the existing theory, research, policy, and practice of disaster mental health and the role of counseling psychology in post-disaster and catastrophic situations, all from a social justice perspective. Specifically, we discuss the phases and stages, social ecology, and individual reactions to disasters. A case study is presented, followed by mental health interventions and counseling psychology's role in these interventions at both the individual and systemic levels. We conclude with an overview of professional issues that often emerge when working in disaster areas, cultural issues that arise, and ways for counseling psychologists to become involved in this work.

Supporting Disaster Relief Efforts Internationally: A Call to Counseling Psychologists

“…As one enters the disaster-impacted community, embracing an ecologicalsystemic approach (Bronfenbrenner, 1992;Heppner et al, 2012;Nilsson, Wang, & Chung, 2019 [this issue]; Spokane et al, 2011) to understand the interaction of different contexts (individual, cultural, community) and social environments (societal, structural) becomes critical. The ecological-systemic approach highlights the need to attend to individuals' perceptions and meaning related to a particular experience.…”

“…The ecological-systemic approach highlights the need to attend to individuals' perceptions and meaning related to a particular experience. In addition, it underscores the need to focus on the role of agency and resiliency, including ways in which individuals negotiate and influence, and are influenced by, various contexts and actions (Spokane et al, 2011;Tummala-Narra, 2007). This bidirectional influence of personal and sociocultural environments is central to our understanding of individuals' normative reactions and how they may engage in physical and psychological recovery, along with their receptiveness to help during a disaster.…”

“…In the introductory module, we suggest emphasizing foundational themes. This would include an overview of disasters and their impact on mental health both within domestic and international contexts, presenting cultural and ecological contexts that are relevant to disaster response, discussing cultural perspectives related to trauma and counseling, and presenting cultural perspectives related to experiencing sudden loss and bereavement (e.g., Hoffman & Kruczek, 2011;Spokane et al, 2011;Tummala-Narra, 2007)…”

“…However, they are based on a traditional pathway of recovery (Gregerson, 2006) and give limited attention to the facilitation of cultural resiliency in those affected (Bonanno, Galea, Bucciarelli, & Vlahov, 2007;Lating & Bono, 2008;McCabe et al, 2014;Wells et al, 2013), and the cultural implications of disaster response interventions, especially in international settings (Edwards-Stewart et al, 2012;Kantor & Beckett, 2011;Thoburn, Bentley, Ahmad, & Jones, 2012; C. D. C. Wang & Çiftçi, 2019 [this issue]). Furthermore, existing training models often lack the unique delineation of (a) practices for disaster relief care beyond PFA (Bowman & Roysircar, 2011;Hoffman & Kruczek, 2011;Spokane, Inman, Weatherford, Davidson, & Straw, 2011), (b) ways to incorporate international competencies into disaster relief work (Morgan-Consoli, Inman, Bullock, & Nolan, 2018), and (c) considerations that promote longterm stability and ongoing care (Edwards-Stewart et al, 2012). Moreover, there have been limited efforts in increasing the availability and exploration for the potential for Internet-based resources (Gregerson, 2003).…”