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Abstract

Information about the psychological status of children following a natural disaster is rare. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation is to create a psychosocial profile of relocated Hurricane Katrina youth (N = 83, ages 13 to 17) and integrate the findings into a growing body of literature on the psychological effects of disaster. Data were collected using the Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents. Findings indicate the population had overall below-average resiliency resources. The greatest of these resources are reflected in their ability to maintain a positive attitude, ask for and receive help, and solve problems. Other resiliency strengths emerged in the form of feeling calm and comfortable with people. Findings also indicate the population as showing above-average vulnerability and sensitivity to psychosomatic reactions, including high levels of impairment by and recovery from emotional upset. Suggestions for intervention are aimed at meaningful social support activities that emphasize the rebuilding of community via outdoor adventure education and service learning.

Les informations sur l'état psychologique des enfants à la suite d'un désastre naturel sont rares. Pour y remédier, cette recherche voulait établir le profil psychologique de jeunesnager à cause de l'ouragan Katrina, et greffer ces données à (N = 83, 13-17 ans) qui ont dû démé la littérature émergeante sur les effets psychologiques des désastres. Les données ont été amassées au moyen des Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents. Selon les résultats, cette population a, dans l'ensemble, des ressources de résilience sous la moyenne. Parmi ses meilleures ressources, cependant, on compte l'habileté à maintenir une attitude positive, à demander et à recevoir de l'aide, ainsi qu'à résoudre des problèmes. Le sentiment de calme et l'aisance avec les gens constituent d'autres formes de sa résilience. Les résultats indiquent aussi que cette population est plus vulnérable et plus sensible que la moyenne aux réactions psychosomatiques, et présente entre autres des taux élevés de lacunes dues à la perturbation émotionnelle et une grande difficulté à s'en remettre. Les interventions proposées portent sur des activités de soutien social pertinentes qui mettent l'accent sur la reconstruction de la communauté, au moyen d'excursions éducatives et d'apprentissage de services.

Keywords

resiliency disaster Hurricane Katrina at-risk youth

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A Resiliency Profile of Hurricane Katrina Adolescents

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