Disaster Management - Psychological Perspectives

7/30/2019 Disaster Management - Psychological Perspectives

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Disaster Management

Psychological PerspectivesDr.V.D.Swaminathan,

Professor of Psychology,

&

DirectorUniversity Center for International Relations

University of Madras


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Meaning of Disaster

A great or sudden misfortune

A complete failure

(Concise Oxford Dictionary)


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Types of Disaster

Natural Disaster (earth quake, cyclone or

any such weather related, tsunami,

avalanche, etc.)

Manmade Disaster (terrorism)


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Phases of Preparation for

Disaster Management

Pre Disaster Phase

Disaster Phase

Post Disaster Phase


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Pre Disaster Phase

Prevention primary, secondary & teritiary

Identify risk factors Revised Social Ecological Model

Micro level factors (endogenous)

Meso, Macro and Mega level factors(exogenous)


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Organism or Individual Related

Factors (Micro level Endogenous)

(a) Age (maturity)

(b) Basic personality

(c) Belief system

(d) Clinical status

(e) General intelligence

(f) Life style

(g) Perception and so on


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Personality - Definition

a more or less stable enduring

organization of ones physique, intellect,

temperament and character that

determines ones unique adjustment to

environment

(Eysenck, 1983)


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Dimensions of Personality

(i) Intelligence -- High (vs.) Low

(ii) Extraversion High (vs.) Low

(iii) Neuroticism -- High (vs.) Low

(iv) Psychoticism High (vs.) Low


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Meso level Factors (Family)

Awareness (being mentally prepared, if

possible, avoidance of certain risks)

Attitude (true education not money based)

Action (cohesion, cooperation,

coordination etc.)


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Macro & Mega Level Factors

. Macro level educational institution,

organization where one is employed

(training in first aid; avoidance of

unhealthy conflicts which arise mainly

because of cut throat competition and

certain other antihuman practices)

Mega level making the best & optimal

use of technological power.


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During Disaster

High vigilance

Presence of mind Clear communication

Resource mobilization

Protection of lives rather than materialvaluables


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Consequences of a Disaster

Post-disaster personality is a mereextension and exaggeration of pre-disaster

personality.

Positive triggering of resources from within

to meet challenges and be proactiveNegative depletion of resources causing

problems and be reactive


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Post traumatic Syndrome

Psychological effects of the disaster may

persist for many months; from acute

phase, if they move on to chronic phase,

they tend to suffer from post traumaticsyndrome. In some cases, there could be

an incubation period; but generally the

symptoms generally appear soon after thetrauma or disaster.


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Some of the Important Symptoms

Difficulty in falling or staying asleep

Irritability or outbursts of anger Difficulty in concentration

Hyper vigilance

Exaggerated startle response almostsimilar to panic attack


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Panic Attack

It is a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort in which four ormore of the following symptoms the individuals will developabruptly and reach a peak within ten minutes.

1. Palpitations (tachy cardia)

2. Sweating

3. Sensations of shortness of breath4. Trembling

5. Feeling of choking

6. Chest pain

7. Nausea or abdominal distress

8. Feeling dizzy

9. Derealization

10. Going crazy/fear of losing control

11. Fear of dying

12. Paresthesia (numbness)


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Other Possible Maladaptive

Responses

Agora Phobia

Any other specific fear

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder

Major disorders (Psychoses)

Counter disaster syndrome isolationphase marked by passivity, denial&repression, altruistic phase, euphoricphase and ambivalent phase


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Purpose of Psychological

Preparation

Prevention (strengthening of self)

1. Primary before the occurrence of problem

2. Secondary-reduction of duration of disorders

3. Tertiary reduction of impairment


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Tips for Building A Healthy

Personality

With the help of a psychologist (not a

psychiatrist), make an objective

assessment of individuals/students on

important parameters of personality

Train individuals/students in the art and

science of relaxation, thereby their

psycho spiritual aspects arestrengthened


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Tips (contd.,)

Help individuals/students develop healthybelief system which nurtures strong willpower and determination to lead long and

healthy life. This will also imply thatindividuals will not become victims ofrumors

Enable individuals/students to developsocial skills which very much includecommunication skills


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Tips (contd.,)

Nurture a well knit value system in every

individual student with particular reference to

morality

Give training in first aid with a special focus onsharpening ones presence of mind.

Let every student develop a civilized sense of

humor which acts as an antidote to depression

and so many other psychological problems

Impart training in time management


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Tips (contd.,)

Through appropriate models (generally video orsometimes live) show the students as to how

they need to be alert whenever any disasteroccurs.

Mock training can also be attempted to makestudents get the feel of helping the victims;

perhaps, feed back can also be given to makethem perfect in their behavior while experiencingany crisis situation.


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Acknowledgment

Documents

Disaster Management - Psychological Perspectives