This paper discusses reactions and experiences of temporary residents and transients in a community struck by a major natural disaster. A retrospective questionnaire study was conducted among a group of Swedish citizens who were resident in Kobe during the Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake. Respondents describe aspects of their behavior before, during, and after the earthquake. The findings indicate that, as a group, the Swedes appear to have coped well, even though they were not well-prepared for this type of situation. One factor found to be related to the behavioral responses was ability to speak the local language, in this case Japanese. On the basis of the study results, some particular needs and resources of foreign residents are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AlexanderDavid. 1990. “Behavior During Earthquakes: A Southern Italian Example.” International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters1: 5–29.
2.
AndersonKaren M., and ManuelGerdenio. 1994. “Gender Differences in Reported Stress Response to the Loma Prieta Earthquake.” Sex Roles9/10: 725–733.
3.
BlandSusan H., O'LearyErin S., FarinaroEduardo, JossaFabrizio, and TrevisanMaurizio. 1996. “Long-Term Psychological Effects of Natural Disasters.” Psychosomatic Medicine:58: 18–24.
4.
DrabekThomas E.1996. Disaster Evacuation Behavior: Tourists and Other Transients.Boulder, CO: Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado.
5.
EdwardsM. L.1993. “Social Location and Self-Protective Behavior: Implications for Earthquake Preparedness.” International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters11: 293–303.
6.
FreedyJohn R., SaladinMichael E., KilpatrickDean G., ResnickHeidi S., and SaundersBenjamin E.. 1994. “Understanding Acute Psychological Distress Following Natural Disaster.” Journal of Traumatic Stress7: 257–73.
7.
HayashiHaruo, and KawataYoshiaki. 1995. “Societal Implications of Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster of January 17, 1995.” Journal of Natural Disaster Science3: 79–88.
8.
HeathRobert. 1995. “The Kobe Earthquake: Some Realities of Strategic Management of Crises and Disasters.” Disaster Prevention and Management5: 11–24.
9.
LarssonGerry, and EnanderAnn. 1997. “Preparing For Disaster: Public Attitudes and Actions.” Disaster Prevention and Management1: 11–21.
10.
LehmanDamn R., and TaylorShelley E.. 1987. “Date With An Earthquake: Coping With a Probable, Unpredictable Disaster.” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin13: 546–555.
11.
McCaugheyBrian G., HoffmanKenneth J., and LlewellynCraig H.. 1994. “The Human Experience of Earthquakes.” Pp. 136–53 in Individual and Community Responses To Trauma and Disaster The Structure of Human Chaos, edited by UrsanoRobert J., McCaugheyBrian G., and FullertonCarol S.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
12.
MikamiShunji, and IkedaKen'ichi. 1985. “Human Response To Disasters.” International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters3: 107–132.
13.
NorrisFran H., and KaniastyKrzysztof. 1992. “Reliability of Delayed Self-reports in Disaster Research.” Journal of Traumatic Stress5: 575–588.
14.
O'BrienPaul W., and MiletiDennis S.. 1992. “Citizen Participation in Emergency Response Following the Loma Prieta Earthquake.” International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters10: 71–89.
15.
OhtaYutaka, and OhashiHitomi. 1985. “Field Survey On Occupant Behavior in An Earthquake.” International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters3; 147–160.
16.
QuarantelliE. L.1996. “Basic Themes Derived from Survey Findings on Human Behavior in the Mexico City Earthquake.” International Sociology4: 481–499.
17.
RussellLisa A., GoltzJames D., and BourqueLinda B.. 1995. “Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation Actions Before and After Two Earthquakes.” Environment and Behavior6: 744–770.
18.
WalleniusClaes. 1997. Reaktioner och Funktionsförmåga i Samband med Livshotande Fara: Intervjustudie med svenska FN-soldater. (Reactions and Performance when in Life-Threatening Danger: Interview Study With Swedish UN-Soldiers) (in Swedish with an English summary). LI-report F8. Stockholm: National Defence College, Department of Leadership.
