Psychological Factors and Problems, Emergency and Long-Term

Abstract

Relief planning cannot ignore psychological aspects of human re actions to catastrophes. In spite of much research, our knowledge of how peo ple adapt themselves to disaster situations is still defective and so is our knowl edge of how to counteract or cure these maladaptations. The characteristic reactions of people during the period of waiting for an impending disaster, dur ing the impact period, and during the period afterwards are described by the author. Although no person can be completely "immunized" against all unfa vorable reactions to catastrophes, procedures are available for cushioning the shocks, and these procedures are discussed by the author.—Ed.