Psychosocial issues following a natural disaster in a developing country: a qualitative longitudinal observational study

Abstract

Objectives: To study qualitatively the psychosocial sequelae following a natural disaster in a developing country and to determine the change in presentations over time. Subjects and methods: This was a qualitative, longitudinal observational study. Information was collected from multiple sources, primarily from disaster workers and including victims through periodic interviews spread over 3 years post‐disaster. Contents were analysed. Results: Various psychosocial consequences were observed. Post‐traumatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, dissociation, suicidality, dissocial behaviour and substance abuse were common. Most symptoms started soon after the disaster and were evident in the majority of victims. A number of victims continued to have psychiatric symptoms with considerable intensity, clarity and multiplicity, which suggested probable syndromes. Religious observations and self‐help groups were the usual coping methods of the community. Psychosocial manifestations could be conceptualized in five pha...