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 (preemergency)
•Emergency-induced
•Humanitarian aid induced or -related
Predominantly Social Problems
Pre-existing (preemergency) 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 aidrelated 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
PHASES OF DISASTER
•
•
•
•
•
•
THREAT Phase
IMPACT Phase
HEROISM Phase
HONEYMOON Phase
DISILLUSIONMENT Phase
REORGANIZATION/ RECOVERY Phase
Phases of D.R
WARNING OR
THREAT PHASE
IMPACT PHASE
-start of disaster
-Immediately
characterized by
great
dysfunction,
intense
overwhelming
emotions or
shock
Usual Length of
Time in that
Phase
Actions
Emotions
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
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 RESPONSE
Phases of D.R
HEROIC STAGE
(Rescue Stage)
- People working
together to save
each other/
propertiesconcern for
survival
Usual
Length of
Time in
that Phase
Prior to
Impact up
to 1 week
afterwards
HONEY MOON 2 weeks –
2 months
STAGE
(Remedy Phase)
- Victims bouyed
& supported by
promises of help
from GO’s, NGO’s
Actions
Emotions
Struggle to prevent loss Fear, anxiety,
of lives &
stunned
Property damage;
survival;
activity level;
actual productivity
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 RESPONSE
Phases of D.R
Usual Length of
Time in that
Phase
Actions
Emotions
DISILLUSIONMENT Several months to
over a year
PHASE
-Unexpected delays
& failure –
frustration– from
bureaucratic
confusion
-Rebuilding their
own lives
-Solving own
individual
problems
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
Normal Functioning
is gradually reestablished; emo’l
resources w/in the
family-exhausted
Satisfied with
progress, emotions
appropriate to
current events
Several years
PHASES OF DISASTER
HONEYMOON
(Community cohesion)
RECONSTRUCTION
(a new beginning)
Pre
Disaster
Warning
IMPACT
THREA
T
Trigger events &
anniversary
Inventory
reactions
1-3 days
TIME
1-3 years
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
10.
Peopleinrespond
successfully
disaster. to active interest and
concern. (Diffusing, ventillation of feelings, lessening trauma, w/c has cathartic effect)
: Essential
mental health intervention includes:
* outreach
* rapid assessment/ psyche triage
* Crisis intervention & brief treatment
*11.
CaseInformed
managementearly intervention can speed
* Advocacy
recovery
and prevent serious or long term
* Education
problems.
coordination and voluntary)
* Information &(cisdreferral
* Debriefing for service providers
( health care providers will directly go to place of disaster. Sometimes interventions are being done ( inside tent or evacuation
center)
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)
14. Fit the program into the community in order
to have it accepted
15. A disaster CAN BRING OUT THE BEST & THE
WORST IN MAN.
“No disaster is so huge that it can’t be
insurmountable”
Guinsaogon, So. Leyte