EMOTIONAL RECOVERY AFTER ADEVASTATING DISASTE: AN INTERPRETATION OF DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY SINCE 1976 TANGSHAN EARTHQUAKE

After 30 years past Tangshan Earthquake, we surveyed survivors about their perception of disaster, with questionnaires relative to emotional recovery after earthquake, psychological change during the city’s reconstruction, and their impression of the disaster. Result shows that both the community and individual factors interact with disaster psychology in response to earthquake. Survivors experienced a common normal response following earthquake, but degree of impact varies among individuals. In general, principal factors in emotional recovery are housing restoration, personal variables, and injury of family members. So it is essential for government to take actions, such as material and financial supply and physiological first aid, providing survivors with the initial comfort and support they needed in taking first step toward recovery. At the same time, this group of people has been more sensitive to disasters since then, who also cultivated his/her family’s awareness of preparedness. Based on the analysis of survey, we suggest that people’s feelings should be recognized so that rescue operation could be responsible and efficient to every one in the aftermath of disaster. This survey about emotional recovery, which is helpful for stable development of a society, can be a reference to policy makers, insurance officials, and those interested in risk management.

کلیدواژه ها:

emotional recovery ، 1976 Tangshan earthquake ، disaster psychology