Spirituality/Medicine Interface Project

Psychological Needs of Disaster Survivors and Families

Authors: Harold G. Koenig, MD

Abstract

The nature and timing of psychological and social interventions depend heavily on how much time has elapsed since the disaster event. Survivors and family members go through distinct psychological phases after the onset of a disaster. Adachi and colleagues1 have divided the time periods following disaster into four phases, each with characteristic psychological needs1: impact phase,2 early aftermath phase,3 short-term aftermath phase, and4 long-term aftermath phase. Proper understanding of each phase will help the physician arrange the kind of support (psychological, social, or spiritual) most needed and appreciated by the patient. Besides time since the event, however, psychological needs will also depend on the type, severity, scope, and geographical location of the disaster and on the personality and baseline mental health of the disaster victim. Although the psychological needs associated with each phase may vary widely, certain characteristic patterns have been observed.

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