Contents & Abstracts Volume 2004-2

The Australasian Journal of Disaster
and Trauma Studies
ISSN:  1174-4707
Volume : 2004-2

Editorial : Managing Traumatic Stress in Complex Emergencies: Demographic, organizational and cultural influences
by Douglas Paton

Papers

Effects of Cultural Values on the Attitudes and Behaviours of Survivors of the 1999 Earthquake in Turkey
by M.Aytul Kasapoglu & Mehmet C. Ecevit

Keywords: disasters, traditionalism, materialism, attitudes, Turkey

The primary finding of this research, based on a survey conducted with a representative sample size of 500 people, is that education is the most important variable influencing the basic values of materialism and traditionalism in the region of 1999 Marmara earthquake in Turkey. When their effects on responsible behaviour and attitudes are investigated, hardworking (materialism), devotion and consensus (traditionalism) caused statistically significant differences. The findings are expected for a society where traditional characteristics are predominant. Policies developed for preparedness should take into account the hybrid nature of this society.

The need for ER protocol in the treatment of public manifesting ASR symptoms following disaster
by Prof. Mooli Lahad & Ruvie Rogel

Keywords: ASR-Acute Stress Disorder , Surge capacity phenomena , ER- Emergency Room, Trauma, ASR-site,ASR -protocol

This article will address the problem of Hospital Emergency Rooms (ER) treatment of acute stress response ASR clients, and will review some of the main recommended treatments found in the literature. The findings of our survey will be followed by recommendations on admitting, accommodating and treating ASR clients in ER.

Stress Reactions and Coping Resources Mobilized by Children under Shelling and Evacuation
by Dr Miri Shacham & Prof. Mooli Lahad

Keywords: evacuation, stress reactions, coping resources, resiliency, "BASIC PH" Model of Coping and Resiliency

The research examined 102 children in real time during shelling and evacuation in Israel by means of structured individual interviews with open ended questions.The study was based upon Lahad’s Integrative Model of Coping and Resiliency (1993, 2000) developed in Israel, relating to six major coping resources that are at the core of an individual’s coping style: Beliefs and Values, Affect, Social, Imagination, Cognition and Physiology.

The main findings showed that evacuation of children without their families enhances their stress reactions. Children evacuated without their families reported more Emotional and Cognitive stress reactions but they prefer to stay with their families, even under shelling.

Girls report more stress reactions than boys and mobilize the Affect (A) resource and the Social (S) one more than boys.

Boys prefer more than girls to change their living place in the future and move to live in a safer place. This preference is higher with the younger children (age 6 - 9) and it decreases - both for boys and girls - in the older age.

Children are more vulnerable in the pre-adolescent age (9 - 12) than in the childhood (6-9) or adolescence.