Motivation and emotion/Book/2024/Psychological preparation for natural disasters

Psychological preparation for natural disasters:
How can people psychologically prepare for natural disasters?

Multimedia presentation (3 min)

Overview

Figure 1. Bush fire from the sky Case study The ground shaking is felt for kilometres across a bustling seaside city. An aggressive 7.8 magnitude earthquake tore apart the city. People are screaming and running for safety. The Smith family were stuck in their suburban home, clinging to the door frames and hid under tables whilst their home shook violently, their screaming and worried cries for each other were drowned out by the clashing of windows shattering around them. They had no idea about the carnage around their house, but that was the least of their worries, all they were thinking about was when the shaking would finish, and when the tsunami would follow after.

Most of the Australian population lives in areas prone to natural disasters like bushfires, floods, droughts, etc. There have been countless bushfires, floods, and droughts in Australia's history, and every year, the government and emergency services urge the people of Australia to prepare their homes and their families for the worst-case scenario.

Being prepared for a natural disaster can be fear-inducing. However, it allows people to feel more confident, more in control, and more aware of what they need to stay alert about. Preparing can be as simple as being aware of weather alerts and dangers or more detailed plans such as finding the nearest evacuation area and creating "go-bags," also known as emergency kits, equipped with sentimental items, necessary paperwork, and other vital items that may save a life.

Natural Disasters occur all over the world. They are also known as natural hazards, and natural incidents, such as dry heat, wind, and wet weather conditions, generally drive them. In Australia, droughts, floods, tropical cyclones, and bushfires are widespread and essential in the Australian Climate's ecology.

Focus questions: What are natural disasters? What is psychological preparedness? What is the psychological impact of natural disasters? How does scientific research demonstrate psychological preparedness for natural disasters? Are there any ethical considerations that need to be acknowledged?

Natural Disasters

Types of disasters

Natural disasters can take many forms, but they can generally be categorised into two main categories: weather hazards and geological hazards (ACS.gov.au, 2016).

They can also be predictable, unpredictable, expected, or unexpected (Hildagoo et al., 2019).

Weather Hazards

Bushfires

• A type of wildfire that burns rapidly through bushland, destroying hectares of land. They are widespread and generally unplanned. Bushfires include grass, forest, and scrub fires (Yu et al., 2020).

Floods

• Floods are large amounts of water that submerge land. They can be caused by heavy rainfall overflowing rivers, dams, and lakes (Merz et al., 2021).

Heatwaves

• Heatwaves are categorised by extreme, persistent temperatures over numerous consecutive days. The characteristics of a heatwave include frequency, intensity, timing, duration and spatial extent (Domeisen et al., 2023).

Tropical cyclone

• Tropical Cyclones are also known as hurricanes or typhoons. Low-pressure systems form over warm tropical waters and are driven by heat transfer from the ocean (Emanuel, 2003).

Geological hazards

Tsunami

• Tsunamis are significant displacements of water that forms as a wave is usually caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, both on land and below the ocean (Goff et al., 2014)

Earthquakes

• Earthquakes are the result of tectonic plates moving and the energy that follows that movement causes shaking on land (Nola et al., 2013).

Volcanic eruptions

• Volcano are vents in the earth’s crust that release steam, ash, lava, gases and rock. They generally erupt when the magma chamber has filled and forces the surface to break open, resulting in the volcano spewing lava (Robock, 2000)

Figure 2. Volcano Erupting in Iceland

History of natural disasters

Figure 3. Table of recent Australian bushfire's 2001 - 2021.

Year	Place	Size of area (acres)
2020-2021	Nationwide	617,763
2019-2020	Nationwide	46,030,000
2017	New South Wales	130,000
2016	Western Australian	170,000
2015	South Australia	210,000
2015	Western Australia	490,000
2015	Western Australia	129,420
2015	Western Australia	244,440
2012	Western Australia	2,000,000
2013	New South Wales	250,000
2009	Victoria	1,100,000
2007	Western Australia	99,000
2007	South Australia	230,000
2006	Nationwide	1,360,000
2006	Victoria	2,590,000
2006	Victoria	450,000
2005	Victoria	400,000
2005	South Australia	77,964
2003	Victoria	1,300,000
2003	Australian Capital Territory	400, 000
2002	Northern Territory	38,000,000
2001	New South Wales	753,314

1 Which of the below is a natural disaster?:

	All of the above
	Volcanic eruption
	Earthquake
	Tropical cyclone

2 Can natural disasters be prevented?:

	True
	False

Psychological Preparation

What is psychological preparedness?

Psychological preparedness is the level of cognitive awareness and the psychological resources people equip and utilise to organise themselves in an emergency (Boylan & Lawrence, 2020). Psychological preparedness involves cognitive, emotional and motivational regulation. Cognitive preparation and regulation are essential in developing coping skills for anxiety and fear in difficult situations (Paton, 2018). Emotional regulation within psychological preparedness involves essential techniques to control emotional responses accompanying complex events. Resilience regulation allows individuals to respond to an event faster and easier if they have developed their resilience (Paton, 2018).

Psychological preparednessː natural disasters

The Australian Red Cross suggest many helpful and life saving tips such as "AIM", ANTICIPATE what may be needed, what you may feel and what you may be thinking. IDENTIFY specific emotions, unhelpful thoughts and any dire matter that need attention. MANAGE feelings, emotions, thoughts and behaviours.

Strategies for Psychological Preparedness

Education

Understanding Natural Disasters' risks and dangers to an individual's home, community, and family is vital to mental resilience and psychological preparedness. In general, they understand when, where, how, and why natural disasters occur, which can assist in reducing stress and anxiety during natural disasters. Awareness gives a sense of control over unpredictable events (Preparing for Natural Disasters - Natural Disaster - Services Australia, 2024).

Plan

Creating a 'potential disaster plan' can exponentially assist in keeping family, friends, and the community safe and reduce panic, stress and anxiety during a disaster. Planning for the extreme is necessary, especially if others must account for other individuals in the community. Keeping up to date with emergency routes, shelters, and evacuation points, as well as creating a thorough step-by-step plan of what to do during a disaster, can assist in reducing panic during a disaster. Additionally, building an emergency kit that contains food, water, first aid kits, documents, and family photos can usher in a sense of security during a disaster, as being prepared can reduce stress, anxiety and distress.

Support

A solid support system can benefit emotional support during and after disasters. Sharing a connection with people in a similar situation can help reduce mental disorders following natural disasters (Yaqoob et al., 2012). Within these support systems, discussing concerns, potential plans, worries, and fears can assist individuals and other members in reconciling their emotions and relationships (Yaqoob et al., 2012).

Resources

Access to professional assistance through therapy and psychologists can help prepare and manage emotions before and after disasters. Similar to how a disaster plan is recommended, it is also beneficial to create a plan that addresses mental health and allocates time to ensuring that all impacted are emotionally processing their emotional package (Lopes et al., 2014).

Resilience

Figure 4ː Autonomic Nervous System

Incorporating relaxation techniques into everyday routines can assist the nervous system throughout high-stress situations. Relaxation techniques include breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and mindfulness. The Autonomic nervous system helps control involuntary heart rate, blood pressure and respiration (Waxenbaum et al., 2023). These involuntary responses generally spike and increase during high-stress situations, creating anxiety and distress (Ziegler, 2012). The nervous system also controls the fight or flight response, an immediate physiological reaction when an individual or organism is presented with a potential threat (Milosevic, 2015). During disasters, the fight or flight system is activated, and utilising relaxation techniques will assist in decreasing levels of panic and anxiety in high-stress situations (Ziegler, 2012).

Psychological Perspectives

Theories

The Theory of Planned Behaviour

The Theory of Planned Behaviour proposed by Ajzen (1991), asserts that human behaviour is driven fby three factors: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. In the context of natural disasters:

• Attitudes: People’s beliefs about the importance and effectiveness of preparedness will influence their willingness to prepare. If individuals believe that preparedness actions, such as creating emergency kits, will make a difference, they are more likely to take those steps.
• Subjective norms: This refers to the influence of societal expectations or the behaviour of others. People may feel motivated to prepare if they observe family, friends, or the community taking disaster preparedness seriously.
• Perceived Behavioural Control: If an individual has low self-efficacy and believes that they will not perform or prepare as well as they believe that they may have been able to, they are less likely to have a desire to prepare (Ajzen, 2002).

Conservation of Resources Theory

The Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, proposed by Hobfoll (1989), suggests that people are motivated to protect and acquire resources, such as personal, social, and material assets, to cope with stress. Natural disasters threaten these resources, leading to psychological distress. The model emphasizes:

• Resource loss: The greater the perceived loss of resources during a disaster (e.g., homes, possessions, social networks), the higher the emotional and psychological impact. Resource loss can lead to conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression (Jonathon et al., 2014).
• Resource gain: Individuals with access to resources—such as financial stability, strong social support systems, and psychological coping strategies—are better equipped to manage the stress associated with disasters (Jonathon et al., 2014).

Mental disorders linked to natural disasters

Fifty one percent of people in the area most affected by Hurricane Andrew in the USA met criteria for a new-onset disorders following the disaster, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders (David et al., 1996).

Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Figure 5ː PTSD Mind Map

As categorised by the DSM-5, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may include flashbacks that may seem similar to hallucinations, and hyper-vigilance may reach paranoid proportions. A traumatic event and characteristic symptom features relating to reliving or reacting to the event are required to make the diagnosis (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). As PTSD can affect multiple aspects of individuals’ lives post-disaster, psychological preparedness measures such as utilising mental relaxation, grounding and interventions can assist in the treatment and management of their emotions (Arnberg et al., 2013).

Major Depressive Disorder

Primarily diagnosed when an individual has a persistently low or depressed mood, anhedonia or decreased interest in pleasurable activities, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, lack of energy, poor concentration, appetite changes, psychomotor retardation or agitation, sleep disturbances, or suicidal thoughts (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a common mental disorder that affects many people all over the world. Anxiety operates alongside fear, fear is an emotional response to an immediate threat and is more associated with a fight or flight reaction – either staying to fight or leaving to escape danger (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Anxiety refers to anticipation of a future concern and is more associated with muscle tension and avoidance behaviour (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).

Application of psychological preparedness

Impact before psychological preparedness

Before psychological preparedness, individuals exposed to natural disasters are significantly more vulnerable to mental health disorders. For example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in the USA, 51% of people from the most affected areas met the criteria for new-onset mental health disorders. These disorders included Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders (David et al., 1996).

Without prior psychological preparedness, the emotional shock and trauma of experiencing a disaster can lead to:

• Overwhelming fear and panic during the event
• Inability to process or cope with the traumatic experiences
• Prolonged and severe mental health challenges, as individuals have not developed the coping mechanisms to manage the emotional and psychological effects of the disaster

Lack of preparedness leaves people at greater risk of emotional breakdown, dysfunctional behaviours, and a slower recovery process.

Impact after psychological preparedness

As found by Makwana et al. (2019), natural disasters can have major impacts on the quality of one's life. They not only cause physical destruction but also place a significant burden on mental health. The psychological toll of surviving a disaster, facing loss, or enduring uncertainty can lead to conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. To mitigate these adverse effects, it is essential to implement effective interventions during the pre-, peri-, and post-disaster periods. Pre-disaster interventions focus on psychological preparedness, peri-disaster efforts aim at emotional regulation during the event, and post-disaster interventions support mental recovery, helping individuals process trauma and build long-term resilience (Makwana et al. 2019).

Conclusion

Natural disasters occur all over the world and can be both unpredictable and incredibly dangerous. They can have a major effect on any person impacted, whether directly or indirectly. Psychological preparation for such events is crucial for promoting resilience and reducing the risk of distress, anxiety, and trauma-related mental disorders. Being mentally prepared enables individuals to cope more effectively with the immediate stress of the event and aids in the recovery process afterward. It can also reduce the likelihood of long-term psychological conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. Building psychological resilience beforehand is key to a quicker, healthier recovery.

The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TTPB), developed by Ajzen in 1991, posits that human behaviour is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. In the context of natural disasters, attitudes reflect people's beliefs about the effectiveness of preparedness actions, subjective norms refer to societal expectations, and perceived behavioural control relates to an individual's self-efficacy in preparing for disasters. On the other hand, the Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory, proposed by Hobfoll in 1989, focuses on how individuals strive to protect and acquire various resources to cope with stress. It highlights the impact of resource loss during disasters, which can lead to psychological distress such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Conversely, individuals with access to resources like financial stability and strong social support systems are better equipped to manage the stress associated with disasters. These theories offer valuable insights into understanding and addressing human behaviour and psychological responses in the context of natural disasters.

Answers to Focus Questions What are natural disasters? - Natural disasters are catastrophic events caused by Earth's natural processes that lead to significant disruption, destruction, and loss of life in affected areas. What is psychological preparedness? - Psychological preparedness refers to individuals' or communities' mental and emotional readiness to effectively cope with the stress and trauma associated with natural disasters. What is the psychological impact of natural disasters? - Natural disasters can lead to severe psychological consequences, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, and long-lasting emotional distress for survivors. How does scientific research demonstrate psychological preparedness for natural disasters? - Scientific research shows that effective psychological preparedness programs can reduce the incidence of mental health disorders and improve emotional resilience among individuals and communities impacted by disasters. Are there any ethical considerations that need to be acknowledged? - Yes, ethical considerations in psychological preparedness include ensuring informed consent, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, protecting privacy, and avoiding stigma related to mental health issues.

See also

• Disaster Resilience (CSIRO, 2020)
• Emergency Survival Kit List (Queensland Government)
• DSM-5 (Wikipedia)
• List of Natural Disasters in Australia (Wikipedia)
• Psychological preparation for natural disasters (APS)

References

Acs.gov.au. Understanding hazards. (2016). https://www.acs.gov.au/pages/understanding-hazards

Ajzen, I. (2011). The theory of planned behaviour: Reactions and reflections. Psychology & health, 26(9), 1113-1127.

Ajzen, I. (2002). Perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, locus of control, and the theory of planned behavior1. Journal OfApplied Social Psychology, 32, 665–683. https://people.umass.edu/aizen/pubs/pbc.pdf

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

American Psychiatric Association. Anxiety Disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Text Revision. American Psychiatric Association; 2022: pp. 215-231

Arnberg, F. K., Bergh Johannesson, K., & Michel, P.-O. (2013). Prevalence and duration of PTSD in survivors 6 years after a natural disaster. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 27(3), 347–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.03.011

Boylan, J. L., & Lawrence, C. (2020). The development and validation of the bushfire psychological preparedness scale. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 47, 101530–101530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101530 CSIRO. (2020). Disaster resilience. CSIRO.au; CSIRO. https://www.csiro.au/en/research/disasters/Disaster-Resilience

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Jonathon, W., Halbesleben, R., Neveu, J.-P., & Paustian-Underdahl, S. (2014). Journal of Management Resources Theory Getting to the “‘COR’”: Understanding the Role of Resources in Conservation of On behalf of: Southern Management Association can be found at: Journal of Management Additional services and information for. https://en-coller.tau.ac.il/sites/coller-english.tau.ac.il/files/RP-290_Westman.pdf

Lopes, A. P., Macedo, T. F., Coutinho, E. S. F., Figueira, I., & Ventura, P. R. (2014). Systematic review of the efficacy of cognitive-behavior therapy related treatments for victims of natural disasters: A worldwide problem. PloS one, 9(10), e109013.

Makwana N. (2019). Disaster and its impact on mental health: A narrative review. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 8(10), 3090–3095. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_893_19

Merz, B., Blöschl, G., Vorogushyn, S., Dottori, F., Aerts, J. C. J. H., Bates, P., Bertola, M., Kemter, M., Kreibich, H., Lall, U., & Macdonald, E. (2021). Causes, impacts and patterns of disastrous river floods. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 2(9), 592–609. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-021-00195-3

Milosevic, I. (2015). Fight-or-flight response. Phobias: The Psychology of Irrational Fear: The Psychology of Irrational Fear, 196, 179.

Nola, I. A., Doko Jelinić, J., Žuškin, E., & Kratohvil, M. (2013). Earthquakes – A Historical Review, Environmental and Health Effects, and Health Care Measures. Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, 64(2), 327–337. https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-64-2013-2304

Paton, D. (2018). Disaster risk reduction: Psychological perspectives on preparedness. Australian Journal of Psychology, 71(4), 327–341. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajpy.12237

Robock, A. (2000). Volcanic eruptions and climate. Reviews of Geophysics, 38(2), 191–219. https://doi.org/10.1029/1998rg000054

Waxenbaum, J. A., Reddy, V., & Varacallo, M. (2023, July 24). Anatomy, Autonomic Nervous System. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539845/#:~:text=The%20autonomic%20nervous%20system%20is,sympathetic%2C%20parasympathetic%2C%20and%20enteric.

Yaqoob, L., Ahmed Khan, N., & Subhan, F. (2014). An overview of existing decision support systems for disasters management. Sci Int (Lahore), 26, 1765-76.

Yu, P., Xu, R., Abramson, M. J., Li, S., & Guo, Y. (2020). Bushfires in Australia: a serious health emergency under climate change. The Lancet Planetary Health, 4(1), e7-e8.

Ziegler, M. G. (2012). Psychological Stress and the Autonomic Nervous System. Primer on the Autonomic Nervous System, 291–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-386525-0.00061-5

External links

• Mental preparedness tips for natural disasters (Lifeline, 2024)
• Preparing for natural disasters (Australian Psychology Society, 2024)
• Preparing psychologically for extreme weather events (Converge International, 2020)
• Psychological First Aid - Support during mental trauma, natural disasters, wars, mass crime (Youtube, 2023)