PSYCHOSOCIAL CONSEQUENCE OF DISASTER

Ms. Aida S. Cuadra, RN

OBJECTIVES: At the end of the presentation, the participants

will be able to:1.Discuss the Psychosocial consequences of

disaster.2.Enumerate ways which can help mitigate

these consequences.3.Discuss how you can help mitigate the

consequences in the phases of disaster where you can be involved with.

• Disaster is an emergency which local administrative authorities CAN NOT COPE with the impact or the scale of the hazard, and therefore the event is managed from outside the affected community.

Psychological and social impacts of emergencies may be acute in the short term

can also undermine the long-term mental health and psychosocial well-being

Problems

Nature of Problems are predominantly:

• Social• Psychological

•Pre-existing (pre- emergency) •Emergency-induced •Humanitarian aid -induced or -related

Predominantly Social Problems

Pre-existing (pre-emergency) social problems

• E.g. extreme poverty; • domestic violence, • criminality, • belonging to a group

that is discriminated against or marginalised;

• political oppression);

Emergency-induced social problems • E.g. family separation;• Unemployment;• disruption of social networks; • destruction of community structures, thrust and

resources;• increased substance abuse, gambling, gender-based

violence;

Predominantly Social Problems

Humanitarian aid-induced social problems

• E.g. Undermining of community structures or traditional support mechanisms.

Predominantly Psychological Problems

•Pre-existing (pre-emergency) problems• E.g. mental disorder;• alcohol/drug abuse,• gender-based violence,• child abuse, • Criminal violence,• Social/ cultural deprivation or isolation

Predominantly Psychological Problems

Emergency-induced problems E.g. grief, trauma related distress; depression and anxiety disorders post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);

Humanitarian aid-related problems

E.g. anxiety due to a lack of information and coordination,

insufficiency of relief provisions,

poor survivor-caregiver dynamics due to caregiver burnout, or

compassion fatigue, etc

• THREAT Phase• IMPACT Phase• HEROISM Phase• HONEYMOON Phase• DISILLUSIONMENT Phase• REORGANIZATION/ RECOVERY Phase

PHASES OF DISASTER

5 PHASES OF DISASTER RESPONSE

Phases of D.R Usual Length of Time in that

Phase

Actions Emotions

WARNING OR THREAT PHASE

Days before actual incident/ or no warning at all

If warning is given, some people will make preparations/ some may ignore

If no warning, may feel vulnerable, unsafe & fearful of future unpredicted tragedies

IMPACT PHASE-start of disaster

-Immediately characterized by

great dysfunction,

intense overwhelming emotions or

shock

Day 1 – 3 days Getting over the destruction and its effects/ depends on the extent

The greater the scope, destruction & personal losses associated w/ the disaster, the greater the PSYCHOSOCIAL EFFECTS

5 PHASES OF DISASTER RESPONSEPhases of D.R Usual

Length of Time in

that Phase

Actions Emotions

HEROIC STAGE(Rescue Stage)

- People working together to save

each other/ properties-concern for

survival

Prior to Impact up to 1 week afterwards

Struggle to prevent loss of lives & Property damage; survival; activity level; actual productivity

Fear, anxiety, stunned

HONEY MOONSTAGE

(Remedy Phase)- Victims bouyed & supported by promises of help from GO’s, NGO’s

2 weeks – 2 months

Relief efforts lift spirits of survivors; hope of Quick recovery run high; optimism often shortlived

Euphoria at being alive; grateful; grief; disbelief

5 PHASES OF DISASTER RESPONSEPhases of D.R Usual Length of

Time in that Phase

Actions Emotions

DISILLUSIONMENTPHASE

-Unexpected delays & failure – frustration– from

bureaucratic confusion

-Rebuilding their own lives

-Solving own individual problems

Several months to over a year

Realities of bureaucratic paper works; recovery delays; outside help leaves;Survivors realize they have lots to do by themselves & their lives may never be the same again

Frustration; depression’ self doubt; loss/grief; isolation

RECONSTRUCTION PHASE

- Characterized by coordinated individual &

community effort to rebuild & reestablish normalcy

Several years Normal Functioning is gradually re-established; emo’l resources w/in the family-exhausted

Satisfied with progress, emotions appropriate to current events

PHASES OF DISASTER

Pre Disaster

Warning

THREAT

IMPACTInventory

HEROIC

HONEYMOON(Community cohesion)

DISIL

LU

SION

ME

NT

Work

ing thro

ugh GRIE

F

(coming to

term

s)

Trigger events & anniversary

reactions

RECONSTRUCTION

(a new beginning)

1-3 days 1-3 yearsTIME

3 TYPES OF VICTIMS

DIRECT VICTIMS INDIRECT VICTIMS HIDDEN VICTIMS

KEY CONCEPTS OF DISASTER

1. Everyone who sees a disaster is affected by it.(anxiety provoking esp. people w relatives/loved ones who lives in the area)

2. Target Population is primarily NORMAL.(pertain to hysterical reactions;crying,tembling etc.consider normal under the circumstances.

3. How people have coped with CRISES in their past will be a GOOD INDICATOR of how they will handle the disaster

4. People do not disintegrate in response to disaster. (help each other; bayanihan system)

5.Disturbance is transitory. Splitting events cant stop for awhile and have recurrent episodes. Emotional Reactions of survivors is brought about by disaster rather than poor coping skills.

6.Disaster relief procedures have been called the “SECOND DISASTER”.

7. Disaster stress reactions may be immediate or delayed. (anxiety delay or immediately response to stress or event

8. Be innovative in offering help. (regret disaster assistance, busy, pride,, feel control of the event, named crazy)

9. Avoid mental health labels. (stigmatized and would create more trauma) (crisis worker, counsellor)

14. Mental health staff need to set aside traditional, office-based psychotherapy in order to intervene successfully in disaster.

: Essential mental health intervention includes: * outreach * rapid assessment/ psyche triage* Crisis intervention & brief treatment* Case management* Advocacy* Education* Information & referral* Debriefing for service providers ( health care providers will directly go to place of disaster. Sometimes interventions are being done ( inside tent or evacuation center)

10. People respond to active interest and concern. (Diffusing, ventillation of feelings, lessening trauma, w/c has cathartic effect)

11. Informed early intervention can speed recovery and prevent serious or long term problems. (cisd- coordination and voluntary)

12. The FAMILY is the FIRST line for individuals. (Stay together in one place, main support sys., locate missing members)

13. Support systems are crucial to recovery.

(the more support the faster & better the recovery is)

Guinsaogon, So. Leyte

15. A disaster CAN BRING OUT THE BEST & THE WORST IN MAN.

“No disaster is so huge that it can’t be insurmountable”

14. Fit the program into the community in order to have it accepted