Overview of the Psychosocial Impact of Disasters

Abstract

The psychosocial sequelae can be intense and of long duration in the aftermath of natural and technological disasters, as well as terrorist attacks. Posttraumatic stress symptoms and full syndrome disorder, depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, and excessive alcohol use have been demonstrated consistently, particularly following large-scale disasters. This paper examines the psychological research conducted at various intervals after extensive natural disasters, the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl technological accidents, and recent terrorist events in the United States. Factors predictive of the emergence of emotional distress and psychological and physical problems following a disaster also are discussed.

Social and occupational factors associated with psychological wellbeing among occupational groups affected by disaster: a systematic review

“…Though there has been much research on the psychological impact of disasters on individuals (Harada et al, 2015;Leon, 2004;Neria et al, 2007), there has been less attention on the effect of experiencing disasters as part of a group. Many people experience traumatic incidents as part of an occupational group -for example, an office affected by a fire or an organisation targeted by terrorists.…”

Qualidade de vida dos indivíduos expostos ao césio-137, em Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil

“…Nesse contexto, o acidente ocorrido em Goiânia constituiu-se em um evento bastante negativo, gerando, enquanto evento social, aspectos relacionados à segregação, desorganização e migração. Ao mesmo tempo, enquanto evento psicológico, o choque, o estresse, o medo e o trauma 13,15,19 .…”

“…O referido fato corrobora com estudos que consideram o impacto na saúde mental como o maior problema de saúde pública desencadeado por acidentes dessa natureza e que, muitas vezes, esses transtornos vêm acompanhado de um grande número de queixas somáticas inespecífi-cas 8,9,13,14 . Nesse aspecto, é reconhecido pelo corpo clínico do C.A.R.A.…”

Students’ perceptions of teachers’ teaching and interactions with students: Voices from a Tsunami affected school in Banda Aceh

“…Research provides evidence that in addition to casualties and damage of property, disasters often result in significant post disaster problems (Freedy et al, 1992;Leon, 2004;Lindell, 2011) that are far beyond the loss of possessions and infrastructure destruction (Silove & Zwi, 2005). More specifically, students in schools who have been exposed to traumatic events may have had their performance in class impeded (Cole et al, 2005).…”