Child Vulnerability and Mental Health Outcomes after Natural Disasters

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Recommended: Effect of disaster on human life

Background

Major natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods often precipitate sudden emergencies, which have significant impact on all domains of life for affected populations. Children are a particularly vulnerable group to the effects of natural disasters, with unique physical, developmental, and psychosocial characteristics that place them at high risk for adverse outcomes (Murray, 2011). Some of the consequences for children after natural disasters include physical insecurity, poor living conditions and displacement, and disruption to community life. Numerous children may also be left orphaned after the loss of one or both parents. The aftermath of natural disasters place children at risk for adverse physical but also psychological sequelae (Chemtob et al. 2002).

The vulnerable child

A rapid assessment of child protection needs after a disaster is vital. The child is prone to the physical effects of exposure to the elements, injuries, lack of secure or safe shelter and disease. Children can also have psychological sequelae from family separation, witnessing of distressing events and death, and the general loss of security. Children may be at risk of abandonment, violence, abuse and organised crime and trafficking in the post-disaster setting (Balsari et al. 2010). These physical and psychological outcomes may have immediate but also longer lasting effects on the child.

Mental health outcomes

Some responses reported in children after the Thai tsunami and Hurricane Katrina included depressed mood, general fearfulness, anxiety and a sense of isolation. Children were afraid to separate from family, had hyperarousal symptoms of excess startling, as well as sleep disturbances and nightmares. Some of the...

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Neuner, F., Schauer, E., Catani, C., Ruf, M. & Elbert, T. (2006). Post-tsunami stress : a study of posttraumatic stress disorder in children living in three severely affected regions in Sri Lanka. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 19(3), 339-347.

Nwe, Yin Yin. (2010). Children and the Tsunami, A Year On: A Draft UNICEF Summary of What Worked. Available: http://www.unicef.org/emerg/disasterinasia/files/WhatWorked.pdf. Last accessed November 2011.

Pairojkul, S., Siripul, P., Prateepchaikul, L., Kusol, K. & Puytrakul,T. (2010). Psychosocial first aid : support for the child survivors of the Asian Tsunami. Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics, 31, 723-727.

Silove, D. & Steel, Z. (2006). Understanding community psychosocial needs after disasters : implications for mental health services. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 52(2), 121-125.

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