Assignment: Disaster Response

Assignment: Disaster Response

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Assignment: Disaster Response

Reading

1. Behavioral Health Response to Disasters, Author: Framingham, Julie:

Original Question:

For this week’s Forum, respond to the following:   In review of our course materials this week, we are introduced to several excellent theories aiding our understanding in the survivors’ experience in coping after disaster events. The complex nature of disasters results in reactions manifested in many ways including psychological, biological, and social. The architect of modern-day positive psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman, speaks to the foundational basis of the psychological approach in his Ted Talk, The New Era of Positive Psychology. In considering the insights Dr. Seligman applies to the field of psychology, we may find useful applications to addressing concerns unique to disaster psychology.

· After reviewing the course materials for the week, including Dr. Seligman’s Ted Talk, share the theory or psychological approach to coping after a disaster event that most stood out to you as effective in aiding survivors and the rationale for your selection.

· In addition, considering the Core Actions of Psychological First Aid (PFA) we have reviewed thus far, discuss the appropriateness of implementing any or all Core Actions in conjunction with the selected theory or approach.

Reply to the following response with 200 words minimum. (please make response as if having a conversation, respond directly to some of the statements in below post. This is not providing an analysis of the original post. Respectfully address it and even ask clarifying or additional questions.)

1.

The Resilience Theory stood out the most to me as an effective theory in the aiding of survivors being that it has a main focus on risk and protective factors that affect survivors. In understanding when it comes to disaster reactions the typical human response to it has been shown to follow three distinct phases of alarm, resistance, and return (American Military University, 2018).  The resilience theory goes hand in hand with this because when it comes to adults and children this theory provides insight into those reactions and why it leads to stressful social and physical environments. This leads researchers to have a better understanding of not only children but the overall responses in the lifespan of those that have been directly affected by a disaster. I think this theory provides value to examining the resiliency that is involved in disasters and how social examiners play a major part in the recovery that families have. In correlation with this theory knowing the social support that is available provides insight on being able to establish ongoing contacts with sources of support within the family and community (Teasely & Framingham, 2012). This is one of the major goals and core actions in the psychological first aid. As resilience has been known to improve over time, remaining consistent in effective approaches allows for researches to better understand that each individual resilience approach changes over time. As disaster resilience can either be maintained or changed, it is best to know which level of resiliency a person falls into, to better understand the type of change that comes along with a disaster while setting up the road to successful recovery. There has to be a level of positive psychology as Martin Seligman expresses, and when it comes to the psychology of disaster, it is best to remain positive as this increases the overall positive resilience that comes into action.

American Military University. (2018). WEEK 3: Biopsychosocial (BPS) Reactions to Disaster: Theoretical and Conceptual Overview [Lesson notes]. Retrieved from https://edge.apus.edu/portal/site/366610/tool/230444e4-7d21-400a-b0e4-9642c00902bf

Seligman, M. (2004, February). The new era of positive psychology. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_seligman_on_the_state_of_psychology/transcript

Teasley, M. L., & Framingham, J. L. (2012). Behavioral Health Response to Disasters. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press. Retrieved http://apus.intelluslearning.com/v3/course-widget/760/#/document

2.

Class,

In this week’s assignment the theory that stood out to me was the Resilience Theory. Resiliency Theory provides a conceptual framework for considering a strengths-based approach to understanding child and adolescent development and informing intervention design (Fergus & Zimmerman, 2005; Zimmerman & Brenner, 2010). “Resilience theorists generally agree that the presence of one or more protective factors can reduce the effects of exposure to adversity. The more protective factors (or “assets”) available, the more resilient a young person will be.”  During my time in the military we learned resilience was the ability to bounce back from adversity. The same can be said for the Resilience Theory/psychological resilience as it is an individual’s ability to successfully adapt to life tasks in the face of social disadvantage or other highly adverse conditions. There is a common misconception that resilient people are free from negative emotions or thought, and that they remain optimistic in most or all situations.

After a disaster resilience can be measured on several levels such as individual, community, and physical. The first level or individual level is that of each person within an affected area. The community level is just that the entire community and how it is affected, and the third level the physical level refers to the infrastructure of the area.

Psychological first aid (PFA) is the technique designed to reduce PTSD which falls hand in hand with resiliency. Maintaining a positive outlook on the situation and not allowing yourself to over stress or get depressed allows a person to keep away from the occurrences that may cause PTSD. Many time during a disaster PTSD forms due to high stress levels as well as the things seen during a disaster. Remaining prepared, teaching your children, and maintaining a positive attitude are key to being resilient during and after a disaster.

Blade