The Emotional Impact of Disaster on Children and Families

The human impact of a disaster is affected by the vulnerability of the children and adolescents involved in the event.

The psychological well-being of individual children is influenced by the following: 1) the type and intensity of exposure to the event, 2) the availability of family and community support ­during the event and during recovery, 3) the degree of day-to-day life disruption, and 4) the amount of social disorganization and chaos and the extent to which community social cohesion is maintained. In addition, vulnerability depends on individual characteristics of the child, the social and economic circumstances of the family and community, and the available resources in the surrounding environment and community.

Individual Characteristics that Influence Vulnerability

Emotional reactions in children vary according to the personal characteristics of the child or adolescent:

• Age or developmental stage (physical, psychological, and social)
• Degree of dependency on adults in the family or caregivers
• Gender
• Previous physical and mental health

Age or Developmental Stage of the Child

A child’s age and developmental stage will modulate the emotional response to disaster (See Appendix). If not physically impaired by the disaster, most children will be able to resume normal play, educational, and other developmentally appropriate activities.

Degree of Dependency on Adults in the Family or Caregivers

Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are nearly completely dependent on adults for their care. School-age children are also very dependent on adults. Adolescents, while less dependent, may lack experience and cognitive ability to understand and anticipate the immediate or longer-term consequences of the disaster. On the other hand, adolescents may be more self-sufficient and react in a manner somewhat independent from their caregivers. The adaptive capacity of nearly all children is influenced by the physical and emotional availability of their caregivers, but this is especially true for younger children. They may experience intense feelings of abandonment when separated from adults in the family who have been injured, dislocated, killed, or who are doing community work work and thus not available in ways they would normally be.

Gender

Cultural and biological differences between girls and boys make it more likely for boys to have more disruptive or externalizing behavioral symptoms and longer recovery periods than girls. Boys tend to react with aggressive behavior, violence, substance abuse and antisocial attitudes. Girls, on the other hand, are more at risk for internalizing disorders such as depression and anxiety. In some cultures, girls may be more willing and able to verbalize their experiences, though this may not extend to sexual victimization, which is often highly stigmatized and can have serious social consequences. Both girls and boys are at risk for interpersonal and sexual violence (including rape) during and following a disaster. 

Previous Physical and Mental Health

Having a chronic physical disease is a risk factor for poor adaptation following a disaster. In addition, a previous history of trauma, loss, family distress, or emotional/ behavioral problems increases the likelihood of a more intense and persistent emotional disturbance after disasters. Children who have been receiving medication for mood or behavior may be additionally at risk after a disaster if the supply of medication is disrupted or if they experience side effects from sudden discontinuation.