Rural families' interpretations of experiencing unexpected transition in the wake of a natural disaster

Abstract

Natural disasters affect populations in various parts of the world. The impacts of disasters can cause many problems to the health of people and disruption to family life, potentially leading to an unexpected transition. The objective of this paper is to present the unexpected transitional experiences of rural families following a natural disaster. A multiple case study of six families was conducted with children and adolescents in a rural area affected by a 2008 disaster in southern Brazil. For data collection, we used participant observation, narrative interviews, genograms, ecomaps and an instrument called calendar routine. The analysis of the data resulted in different family interpretations about the changes resulting from the storm and compared life before and after the disaster. The loss of homes and loved ones, migration, unemployment, and losses from the farm were the main changes associated with new development tasks. The experiences of family transition after the disaster revealed that losses influenced social lives, daily routines and the preservation of cultural values.

Demands for psychosocial support from communities vulnerable to natural disasters

“…Natural disasters, such as the floods in the state of Santa Catarina, are the subject of several studies, including in nursing area (4)(5)13) , as well as natural disasters in other regions of the country motivated health researchers (14)(15) to produce knowledge that contributes to qualified assistance in these situations. This theme is emerging in the country and in the world, requiring research that generates changes in practices and training to reduce risks and disasters.…”

“…However, aspects resulting from the vulnerability of the population affected by disasters, such as the loss of homes, jobs, the impossibility of continuing to live in the same place due to the environmental destruction of inhabited territories, have a direct or indirect impact on health, with physical and psychosocial impacts on the people involved (3) and expose the need to strengthen and restore support networks (4)(5) . The health service network is a vital support resource and also needs to be prepared to meet the demands resulting from the impacts of disasters.…”

Saúde mental das pessoas em situação de desastre natural sob a ótica dos trabalhadores envolvidos

“…Nesses locais, as características quanto ao grau de vulnerabilidade social variam, dadas as diferenças de tipo de moradia e de condições econômicas das famílias. O Marco de Ação de Hyogo (MAH), que busca a implementação da redução de riscos e desastres, define a vulnerabilidade como [...] condições determinadas por fatores ou processos físicos, sociais, econômicos e ambientais que aumentam a suscetibilidade de uma comunidade ao impacto de riscos 18 (5) .…”

“…A região do Vale do Itajaí, em Santa Catarina, tem recorrência de desastres que marcam a história da população e que, por isso, demanda dos serviços algumas estratégias de atenção e cuidado para essas situações. Os desastres nessa região do País tem sido objeto de estudos em diferentes áreas, inclusive da saúde 5 . O desastre a que se referem tais estudos ocorreu em novembro de 2008, acometendo muitos municípios do Vale do Itajaí após volume intenso de chuva, trazendo enchente e precipitação que, combinadas com enxurradas, culminaram nos deslizamentos e escorregamentos de encostas.…”

Mental health of people involved in natural disasters from the perspective of the workers involved

“…In these sites there are varying characteristics regarding social vulnerability, according to housing types and household economic conditions. The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), which seeks the implementation of disaster risk reduction, defines vulnerability as [...] certain conditions determined by physical, social, economic, and environmental factors or processes that increase a community's susceptibility to the impact of risks 18 (5) .…”