Contents & Abstracts Volume 18, Number 1

The Australasian Journal of Disaster
and Trauma Studies
ISSN:  1174-4707
Volume : 18, Number 1

This journal publication has been revised and is now presented as a series of individual PDF files as linked below.
The complete issue can also be retrieved as a single PDF file.

Contents page -Volume 18, Number 1

Papers

The need for careful study design when investigating the benefits of psychological interventions for trauma survivors: a commentary on Renner, Bänninger-Huber, Peltzer (2011)
Tracy M. McGuire, Christopher W. Lee & Peter D. Drummond

Keywords: methodological rigour, research design, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, EMDR

Methodological concerns are explored and questions raised about the validity of conclusions reached in a recent article by Renner, Bänninger-Huber and Peltzer (2011). These authors reported treatment outcomes of Chechen asylum seekers and refugees with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression following treatment with Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); a Culture-Sensitive and Resource Oriented Peer Group (CROP); Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); and a wait-list condition. They concluded that CROP was significantly superior to wait-list and as effective as CBT in reducing symptomatology, and that EMDR was ineffective. However the study contains serious methodological problems including a lack of randomization information, a lack of independent evaluators, inadequate treatment fidelity, and inadequate treatment dosage. Furthermore, the small sample size, high attrition rate and unequal group numbers compromise the statistical power of this study, and possibly compromise the underlying statistical assumptions rendering any conclusions unreliable. This is serious given that misrepresentation of data is damaging to treatment models and clinical practice where such articles guide clinician's treatment choices.

Fallen through the cracks? The role of second responders in the Christchurch emergency: A Wellington perspective
Beverley McNally

Keywords: Christchurch, earthquakes, second responders, emergency management

This paper explores the deployment of second responders from the Wellington region to Christchurch during the civil emergencies of 2010 to 2011. Both primary and secondary data were analysed using a realist thematic approach. It was revealed that there were a group of people, known as second responders - employees of local authority and governmental organisations, who ‘fell through the cracks’ of the emergency management framework. This paper argues that the definition, identification and training of second responders have to be prioritised as a part of emergency management activities. This exploratory study provides the basis for further research into the role of second responders and the challenges confronting both them and those responsible for their deployment.

Spirituality, gratitude, hope and post-traumatic growth among the survivors of the 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi in Java, Indonesia
M.A. Subandi, Taufik Achmad, Hanifah Kurniati & Rizky Febri

Keywords: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post-Traumatic Growth, positive psychology, Yogyakarta-Indonesia

The province of Yogyakarta, located in the island of Java, is one of the areas in Indonesia which is vulnerable to natural disasters. This study focuses on Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) referring to the positive aspects of people’s experience, specifically during the course of the Mount Merapi eruption disaster in 2010. Some literatures suggest that aside from affecting negative emotional experiences, traumatic experiences also provide personal growth, such as positive changes in behaviour, better relationships with others, a more positive outlook and a greater appreciation of life. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of spirituality, gratitude and hope in predicting PTG. The participants of this study were 60 survivors who were living in temporary houses. There were four instruments administered in the study: (1) Post Trauma Growth Scale, (2) Spirituality Scale, (3) Gratitude Scale, (4) Hope scale. Following the administration of these instruments individually, the participants were also interviewed for qualitative data collection. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that spirituality was the only significant predictor of PTG (F = 11,671, p< .01). The adjusted R square determinant coefficient of 0.107 indicated that the effective contribution of spirituality to PTG is 10.7%. The qualitative data indicated that spirituality—through prayer, belief in God, wisdom, compassion, and patience— transformed distress experiences into a more positive impetus towards growth.

Reporting on the Seminar - Risk Interpretation and Action (RIA): Decision Making Under Conditions of Uncertainty
The World Social Science (WSS) fellows on Risk Interpretation and Action (RIA)

Keywords: interpretation, action, decision making, uncertainty, communication, interdisciplinary, workshop

The paper reports on the World Social Science (WSS) Fellows seminar on Risk Interpretation and Action (RIA), undertaken in New Zealand in December, 2013. This seminar was coordinated by the WSS Fellows program of the International Social Science Council (ISSC), the RIA working group of the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) program, the IRDR International Center of Excellence Taipei, the International START Secretariat and the Royal Society of New Zealand. Twenty-five early career researchers from around the world were selected to review the RIA framework under the theme of ‘decision-making under conditions of uncertainty’, and develop novel theoretical approaches to respond to and improve this framework. Six working groups emerged during the seminar: 1. the assessment of water-related risks in megacities; 2. rethinking risk communication; 3. the embodiment of uncertainty; 4. communication in resettlement and reconstruction phases; 5. the integration of indigenous knowledge in disaster risk reduction; and 6. multi-scale policy implementation for natural hazard risk reduction. This article documents the seminar and initial outcomes from the six groups organized; and concludes with the collective views of the participants on the RIA framework.

Indigenous Peoples and urban disaster: Maori responses to the 2010-12 Christchurch earthquakes
Simon Lambert

Keywords: Christchurch, Indigenous communities, disaster response, Māori, cultural institutions

Indigenous Peoples retain traditional coping strategies for disasters despite the marginalisation of many Indigenous communities. This article describes the response of Māori to the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2012 through analyses of available statistical data and reports, and interviews done three months and one year after the most damaging event. A significant difference between Māori and ‘mainstream’ New Zealand was the greater mobility enacted by Māori throughout this period, with organisations having roles beyond their traditional catchments throughout the disaster, including important support for non-Māori. Informed engagement with Indigenous communities, acknowledging their internal diversity and culturally nuanced support networks, would enable more efficient disaster responses in many countries.

All papers are protected under the Creative Commons attribution as per our copyright notice.