Managing Psychological Consequences in Disaster Populations

Disasters are ubiquitous and affect individuals, groups, and communities. Psychological and behavioral responses to disasters range considerably and depend, to some degree, on the etiology and scope of the disaster. An understanding of the range and types of responses (e.g., distress behaviors, psychiatric illness, health-risk behaviors, and resiliency) and awareness of at-risk or uniquely vulnerable populations is important in disaster preparedness and public health response planning. A public health approaches to affected disaster communities may be necessitated by scare resources and large numbers of geographically disparate disasters. Psychological first aid (PFA) is discussed as a framework for early intervention following disaster. The emerging threat of pandemic influenza is explored to highlight potential psychological responses, needs, and interventions in communities that may experience this form of disaster.