Article Title: Well- Being after Natural Disasters; Rising from the Ruins
Author(s): Subha Malik and Ruhi Khalid
Institute(s): Department of Gender Studies, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore; Institute of Psychology, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore.
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2015, Vol. 13, No.1, 48-54
Correspondence Address: Subha Malik Department of Gender Studies, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: subhamalik@yahoo.com
Abstract
Although exposure to natural disasters is known to place survivors at risk for behavioral and psychological difficulties with victims varying considerably in their adaptation, research focusing on factors that promote their adjustment and well-being is lacking. This qualitative study was conducted to investigate in-depth the role of resilience, culture and coping strategies in female disaster survivors living in the shelters two years after the Kashmir earthquake. The results of this study show that not only were women survivors as resilient as men but they employed active coping strategies as well, moreover the role of faith, education, social support and resilience in the adjustment after natural disasters has been discussed. It is suggested that interventions after disaster should be based on indigenous cultural beliefs and practices and should focus on strengthening prevailing community coping strategies as well as to educate the survivors to work towards small but possible goals to attain a sense of control over their environment.
Keywords: resilience, culture, social support, faith, coping
