‘The apocalypse’: A qualitative pilot study of the psychological aftermath of the 2020 Beirut blast

Abstract

Background: There has been very limited data describing the psychological aftermath of the Beirut blast. Aims: This qualitative pilot study aimed to explore the psychological and physical reactions to the trauma experienced by Beirut blast survivors, as well as their coping strategies. Methods: From November 2020 to February 2021, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Lebanese citizens who were within a 4 km radius of the Beirut port at the time of the explosion. A thematic analysis was adopted. Results: Three themes were identified: (1) the blast; (2) life after the blast: extended trauma; (3) coping strategies. First, almost all participants vividly remembered the moment of the blast and referred to it as a turning point in their lives. They also remembered being on an emotional rollercoaster, feeling physically numb, worried about another explosion and finding God in the midst of tragedy. Second, all participants reported several negative experiences in their post-blast life, which may have enhanced/prolonged their trauma, including losses of different kinds (of a country, home, loved ones, hope, safety/security, culture and heritage), the cumulative impact of the blast, the impossibility to ever return to ‘normality’, persistent survival guilt and somatisation. Lastly, different coping strategies were adopted to deal with trauma, such as talking it out, establishing a consistent daily routine, helping the community, overworking and detachment. Conclusions: This study highlights the many layers of psychological suffering of Beirut blast survivors in the current context of collective distress dominating Lebanon.