Japan; and a guide about how to participate in ... lived in the stricken area, using a questionnaire survey and ..... gram for people who live in Iranian capital.
Psychology of Disaster
Psychology of Disaster DIVERSITY IN HARMONY SYMPOSIUM DHS5 Disaster Prevention and Mitigation : Sharing of best practices from Asian countries Organizers: Clare Yeo (1), Takao Sato (2) 1. Institute of Mental Health, Singapore; 2. University of Tokyo, Japan Session Abstract: Asian had had its share of disasters in the past decades. In light of the psychological impact on the individuals and the community, much effort has been taken to minimize the psychological sequelae and its long-term impact. In this Symposium, presenters from Indonesia, Japan and Singapore will share best practice and learning lessons.
The Perspective of Psychological Services/Support and The Strength of Inter-Professional Networking in The Framework Mitigation and Disaster Handling Management : Lessons Learned From Indonesia Josephine Rosa (1), Retno D Purba (2) 1. crisis centre universitas indonesia, Indonesia; 2. Indonesian Psychological Association (HIMPSI), Indonesia Indonesia is left with no other choice than to live with various natural disasters ’harmoniously’. With experiences in handling disasters in various areas, we have come to the understanding that it is imperative to have a combined effort from each stakeholders. From the perspective of giving psychological support and services before and after disasters, working with other mental health professionals, doctors and other related professionals is a must. It provides benefits not only for the survivors but also for other stakeholders in terms of giving appropriate perspectives in giving and receiving the support. Having an agreed perspective in viewing the effects of a disaster to the mental health of its survivors has been proven to raise the chances of building a system of mitigation and disaster handling both in micro and macro perspectives.
How did the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami influence psychological states of victims? Mikio Hirano Tohoku Bunka Gakuen University, Japan The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami took approximately twenty thousands of lives, and they brought victims complicated problems. Unfortunately, I was one of the victims; I experienced both fear of death and the loss
949 of my brother. My psychological recovery process can be subdivided into five stages: hyper arousal, grief, flashbacks, fear of death, and posttraumatic growth. It took about three years to reach the last stage, in which I suddenly felt warm and positive feelings that counteracted the negative effects of my tragedy. Meanwhile, as experts in individual and group psychotherapy and in developmental clinical psychology, we established a clinical and educational service center on September 24th 2011. In the areas stricken by the disaster, various problems have increased among the population, such as alcohol and/or gambling addictions, domestic violence, school refusal, and maltreatment of children. Experts need to develop long-term psychological support systems to resolve these problems.
Crisis preparedness & response : The Singapore experience Clare Yeo (1), Josephine R Marieta (2), Retno D Purba (3) 1. Institute of Mental Health, Singapore; 2. University of Indonesia, Indonesia; 3. Indonesian Psychological Association (HIMPSI), Indonesia As we celebrate 50 years of national building in 2015, Singapore takes pride in being prepared for crisis, both natural and man-made. Being a small nation void of natural resources, our population is our only asset. With the recognition of the benefits of early psychological intervention, the National Emergency Behaviour Management System (NEBMS) was incepted in 1994 to coordinate a multi-agency network response to the crisis. Sharing will also be made of how the system responded to recent crisis that Singapore faced.
SPONSORED SYMPOSIUM SPS20 Job-related stress in natural disasters (Symposium sponsored by Japanese Association of Industrial/ Organizational Psychology) Organizers: Kiyoshi Ando (1), Kako Inoue (2) 1. Toyo University, Japan; 2. Yokohama National University, Japan Session Abstract: When devastating, unprecedented natural disasters occur on a national scale, society may experience significant trauma effects. People, who experience these events, need timely and targeted care. This symposium gathers professionals from different countries to speak about disaster psychology from practical and academic perspectives. Newman will discuss the ethics of research post-disaster reviewing common ethical issues that may arise and evidence that may be helpful to consider in designing meaningful research in the post-disaster environment. McMahon will talk about how Australian media organizations are training
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journalists and managers in pre and post disaster resilience techniques. Horike will talk about the experience as clinical psychologist living in the stricken area and the importance of psychological supports tailored to local needs. Takahashi will discuss a survey conducted to public service employees of the East Prefectures. (This symposium is sponsored by the Japanese Association of Industrial/Organizational Psychology and HIRC21 of Toyo University.)
The experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake and psychological support as a part of disaster relief Hiroko Horike Tohoku Gakuin University, Japan Hiroko Horike is a Professor of Psychology at Tohoku Gakuin University, and was the President of Miyagi Society of Certified Clinical Psychologists at the time of the 2011 Earthquake. At Tohoku Gakuin University the student counseling center resumed its service three days after the quake. Along with personal counseling, the center conveyed information for students, faculties and staff on mental health responses to the disaster, and continued to provide psycho-education for the next year. As part of prolonged disaster relief the Miyagi Society runs a small cafe among the temporary housing units in Minami-Sanriku for refugees to have a relaxing cup of tea and casual conversation with counselors. To this day the housing units are filled with displaced refugees. The psychologists continue the community-based intervention which seems most effective in supporting refugees’ mental health. At the symposium, Horike will discuss the importance of psychological support tailored to local needs.
Mental health in local public employees that were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake Naoya Takahashi Rissho University, Japan Naoya Takahashi, Associate Professor of Rissho University will speak about the survey conducted to public service employees of the East Prefectures. 1523 local public employees responded in this survey. This survey clarifies the differences in the mental health among the public service employees damaged by tsunami and those damaged by nuclear power. In particular, the local public employees damaged by nuclear power showed a mentally unhealthy. Based on these findings, support systems for local public employees required to continue to work in that local government despite the victims will be discussed.
Enhancing resilience in trauma exposed journalists
950 Cait Mcmahon Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma - Asia Pacific, Australia Cait McMahon is a psychologist and founding Managing Director of the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma - Asia Pacific, based in Australia. Cait became interested in journalists exposed to trauma when she was working as a staff counsellor at The Age newspaper from 1987-1993. She has also undertaken research examining posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress amongst journalists. She is the only Australian psychologist to be published on the topic. Cait has developed training programs to enhance resilience for journalists that include practical self-care strategies and mindfulness. She has also worked in collaboration with others on an adapted Psychological First Aid program that has been incorporated into a Peer Support training program and she is an internationally renowned trainer. Participants at this symposium will hear about practical techniques that can be applied to programs with other professional groups exposed to potentially traumatic events.
INVITED ADDRESS IA097 Recovering emotionally after a terrorist attack: insights from Psychology Maria Paz Garcia-Vera Complutense University of Madrid, Spain Most previous research on psychopathological consequences of terrorist attacks has focused on consequences in the short term or the medium term, but their true magnitude in the long term, and especially in the very long term (5-20 years or more after the terrorist attack), is unknown. The knowledge of the very long-term consequences of terrorist attacks is necessary, for example, to plan the appropriate psychological follow-up and care of terrorism victims or to identify treatments that work even in victims with chronic psychological problems. This invited address will review the research on the very long-term psychopathological consequences of terrorism, examine the latest evidence on the psychological treatment for victims who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorders, and/or anxiety disorders after 5-20 years or more after the terrorist attack, and discuss the implications for both clinical practice and policies of psychological assistance to victims of terrorist acts.
IA098 Psychosocial Recovery from Natural Disaster, Epidemics and Terrorism: Ebola in West Africa; SARS in China; Japan TsunamiEarthquake; Earthquakes in Haiti and China;
Psychology of Disaster 911, Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina in USA Judy Kuriansky (1), Russell Daisey (2), Joel C Zinsou (3), Wismick Jean-Charles (4), Shinji Harada (5), Tomoko Shibata (6) 1. IAAP, United States of America; 2. IAAP, United States of America; 3. IAAP, United States of America; 4. IAAP/University of Notre Dame of Haiti, Namibia; 5. Tokyo/Gentle Earth Foundation, Japan; 6. Tokyo/Songs for Hope, Japan Incidences of disaster have hit various parts of the world. These include natural disasters, disease epidemics and acts of terrorism. This presentation covers the principles, practices and policy implications, as well as research findings, from various incidents in different parts of the world, describing key research and "lessons learned" that are important and relevant for psychologists worldwide. This is especially crucial and timely for ICP attendees, given that the United Nations new global agenda, called the Sustainable Development Goals, includes the promotion of mental health and well-being, for which the presenter was the lead psychology advocate. Videos and power point will be shown of examples of the interventions. Specific techniques will be demonstrated, and audience interaction is encouraged. The advocacy for psychosocial resilience will be presented, given the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction recently adopted in Japan; and a guide about how to participate in country-advocacy will be described.
INVITED SYMPOSIUM IS082 What happened in the areas affected by the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami? Organizer: Tsuneyuki Abe Tohoku University, Japan Session Abstract: This symposium was planned to present diverse aspects of the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami and to send a helpful message to victims of future catastrophic disasters. Related topics include the following. 1 Actual damage from the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami: The actual state in affected areas with data stored in a large archive–Michinoku-Shinroku-Den (Satoh, S.: Tohoku University). 2. Daily life in disaster areas: Real life of refugees, underscoring the public order perspective (Okamoto, H.: Nara Women’s University). 3. Responses in disaster areas and neighboring areas: Attitudes of disaster victims and other Japanese about the consequent nuclear accident (Honda, A.: Yamanashi Eiwa College). 4. Global responses: Response to the 2011 Great East Japan disaster in Taiwan and other countries (Tai, S.: National
Chun Cheng University). 5. For potential disasters someday, somewhere: Ongoing study of "Power to Live" for survival (Sugiura, M.: Tohoku University).
Actual damage from the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami: The actual state in affected areas with data stored in digital archives Shosuke Sato Tohoku University, Japan This report aims to introduce the truth about hazard and damage data of the 2011 Great East Japan Disaster. Significant features of the disaster is not only the greatest catastrophe of the 21 century but also being collected a lot of records as many digital archives to share all over the world. On this part, Actual damage data as the introduction of this symposium to create image the disaster are presented based on some digital archives.
Daily life in disaster areas: Real life of refugees, underscoring the public order perspective Hideo Okamoto Nara Women’s University, Japan After the Great East Japan Earthquake, we assessed the damage from the disaster and criminals that was experienced by people who lived in the stricken area, using a questionnaire survey and interview investigation. Results showed that people who were evacuated were at increased risk for criminal damage compared to people who were not evacuated. Most of the people who were not evacuated, however, were distressed and fearful about crime, especially theft by foreigners, although there were few instances of this actually occurring. The disaster victims showed more cooperation with people in their neighbourhood but were more wary of strangers. We discussed ways to prevent criminal damage and to decrease fear of crime.
Japanese attitudes toward the Fukushima nuclear disaster Akio Honda Yamanashi Eiwa College, Japan The 2011 East Japan earthquake and tsunami together constitute the most destructive natural disaster in the world in recent years. An important consequence of the earthquake and tsunami was the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. The Fukushima nuclear accident, the most destructive nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, has given rise to severe social and political problems in Japan. We investigated Japanese attitudes related to the Fukushima nuclear accident and the relations between their attitudes and their opinions about post-disaster reconstruction policies. Results showed that,
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Psychology of Disaster controlling for the effects of gender and geographical differences, fear of radioactive contamination was revealed as a predictor of Japanese opinions related to post-disaster policies. In contrast, the cognitive components of attitudes did not predict the opinions. At this symposium, I introduce our results and new findings about this topic.
Global Responses: Response to the 2011 Great East Japan disaster in Taiwan and other countries Shen Feng Tai National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan The main purpose of this research is to study the responses of Taiwan and other countries on Japanese reactions and practices related to the 2011 Great East Japan disaster through Empirical Research. In addition to the government response, the study will focus on the reaction of Japanese people when faced with compound disasters, also known as disaster culture. From the mass media reports, it could observe that social disorganization or massive crime surge that cause social problems after the Great East Japanese earthquake did not happen, but instead the social atmosphere was rather calm and mutual assistance was common.
Eight Factors of the "Power to Live" with Disasters: Education, Experiment, and Neuroscience Motoaki Sugiura Tohoku University, Japan We have identified eight factors of personal characteristics that are advantageous for disaster survival by summarizing the experiences and opinions of 1400 survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Based on this eight-factor framework and using the obtained inventory, we are currently advancing three frontiers in the science of disaster mitigation and recovery. First, we are pursuing the possibility of using the inventory as a novel tool for disaster education, exploiting the fact that the framework is the ultimate summary of the survival experience. Second, expecting the potential of the inventory as a tool for measuring personal resources in disaster survival, the relationships between the factor scores and survival-relevant behavior are under validation in behavioral experiments. Finally, we are conducting functional neuroimaging studies on each factor to obtain its process-level understanding, hoping for its inspiring innovative technologies to enhance and utilize these factors.
IS084 Disaster Trauma, Risk, and Resilience Organizer: Damodar Suar Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India Discussant: Damodar Suar
951 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India Session Abstract: The Asian societies are most vulnerable to natural disasters and experience inordinate losses of life, property, infrastructure, and subjective resources. The settlements in unsafe places, lack of early warning systems, and the inadequate preparedness of the government and communities expose the people to the adverse effects of a disaster. Against this backdrop, the goal of the symposium is to address the disaster management issues in Asian vis-à-vis other societies, from the postdisaster trauma to the predisaster preparedness. First, it covers the survivors’ postdisaster trauma and their risk and protective factors. Second, it deliberates on psychosocial care, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of livelihood. Third, it includes disaster preparedness, resilience building, and nonstructural mitigation measures. It provides research evidence and includes intervention strategies to minimize the adverse consequences of a disaster.
Situating Trauma and Healing within Cultural and Sociopolitical Contexts: A Social Constructionist Approach Kumar Ravi Priya Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India The unmindful use of concepts such as traumatization and posttraumatic stress disorder has sidetracked the questions of understanding the experiences of suffering and healing of disaster survivors within the dynamic cultural and sociopolitical context of violence through the use of multidisciplinary approaches. Through an ethnographic study among the poor farmers of Nandigram, India, inflicted by violence from the state government as it tried to forcibly acquire their land to build a chemical factory, this paper highlights how the experience of intense distress resulting from disruptions to a sense of wholeness and how this wholeness may be reformulated through culturally valued beliefs. The utility of cultural psychological paradigm in the study of these experiences are highlighted in the themes of suffering including experience of PTSD symptoms, betrayed self, overwhelmed by loss, and biographical disruption and healing through moral reaffirmation, sense of togetherness, sense of security due to change in political environment.
Postdisaster Trauma: Risk and Protective Factors, and Interventions Damodar Suar Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India This study describes the risk and protective factors for postdisaster trauma and the intervention strategies. The trauma after a natural disaster includes posttraumatic stress, depression, negative affect, physical symptoms, and has intergenerational underpinnings. Survivors
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at risk for postdisaster trauma are the females, the aged, the poor, the lowly educated, the mentally and physically challenged, those from lower castes, larger families, having fearful attachment, and predisaster psychiatric disorders. The most important trigger is the loss of loved ones that causes intense, prolonged trauma, and behavioral changes. Other such triggers are more exposure to a disaster, and loss of property and intrinsic resources. Certain personality characteristics, coping strategies, and the perceived social support decrease postdisaster trauma. Shifting people to safe places before a natural disaster, building community resilience and preparedness, and making postdisaster psychosocial interventions, can reduce the trauma.
Psycho-social perspectives of Flood in Himalayan Region: Response, Resilience and Recovery Prasanta K Roy (1,2), Doyel Ghosh (1), Ansuman Mitra (2) 1. Institute of Psychiatry, Kolkata, India; 2. Medical Service Centre, Kolkata, India Natural and Man-made disasters are common in Himalayan region and in last 3 years this region has witnessed many such issues that had huge social, cultural, economic, political and psychological impact. Recently, two most prominent hilly states of India suffered sudden flood with thousands of death and other losses. Long term psychological consequences were observed even after an year of the happenings but was inadequately addressed to contribute to more psychological suffering under vulnerable conditions. Will of the local and distant mental health professionals could not do much due to lack of training as they followed "wait till the case comes" approach rather than on preventive model. A sustainable and workable recovery model to be discussed to add to the resiliency and recovery of the probable victims.
Psycho-social Capacity Building and Community Recovery in the Aftermath of Disaster: Experience from the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake Andy Hau Yan Ho Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Tens of thousands of lives were lost during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, leaving countless people devastated in stock and disheartening grief. In response, our team of psychologists, health and allied-health professionals based at the University of Hong Kong acted swiftly to conduct on-site needs assessments while forming partnership with local governments to enhance efficiency in disaster management. Within one month, a social work station was established at the Dujiangyan prefabricated housing area to provide its residents with psychosocial support and community services. Through working closely with hundreds of families who lost of a loved one during
952 the earthquake, bereaved mothers of young children exhibited greatest levels of distress and complicated grief. They became a centerpiece of our relief effort. This presentation shares the lived experiences of bereaved mothers of Dujiangyan city, and offers examples of empowerment interventions that helped them find hope and rebuild lives in the wake of disaster.
Disaster Preparedness: Antecedents and Strategies
Psychology of Disaster psychopathology studied in a Turkish sample will be presented. Third, the focus is on the resilience and PTG experienced by March 11th survivors in Japan and September 11th survivors in the US. Finally, issues of PTG assessment, along with its relationships with personality and resilience will be discussed.
Factorial validity of the Chinese version of Posttraumatic Growth Inventory across cultures and populations
Sasmita Mishra KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India Investigating the preparedness in context of flood and heat wave, this study aims to explain the antecedents of disaster preparedness and suggests strategies for the same. Three hundred individuals, each from flood and heat wave prone areas of Odisha (India), participated. The data were collected administering a questionnaire survey. The findings suggest that the antecedents facilitating disaster preparedness are the situational factors of prior disaster experience, disaster-related education, resources, perceived risk of a disaster, the personality factors of self-esteem, sense of mastery, communal mastery, internal locus of control, dependence proneness, and the economic and genealogical dimensions of place attachment. The factors inhibiting preparedness are anxiety, religious attachment to the place, and external locus of control. Because the identified antecedents imply psychological and community resources, providing disaster education, building psychological and community resources can be effective strategies to enhance individual and community level disaster preparedness.
Samuel Ho City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong This presentation will discuss factorial invariance of the Chinese version of Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-C) in different cities and chronic disease groups, and use it as an example to address issues related to culturally-sensitive research on PTG. The results of three independent studies will be presented. In the first two studies, we have found that the four-factor model of the PTGI-C originally established in Hong Kong can be generalized to cancer patients in Taipei, Taiwan. In a recent study, we have shown that the PTGI-C shows factorial invariance among patients suffering from different chronic diseases other than cancer. In sum, measurement issues including linguistic equivalence, factorial equivalence, conceptual equivalence, and metric equivalence should be established in cross-cultural research on PTG. Other issues related to PTG, such as whether PTG is an illusion or a reality, will also be discussed towards to the end of the presentation.
IS085 PTG and Resilience in Hong Kong, Turkey, Japan, and the US: Toward Culturally-Sensitive Research
Cengiz Kilic Hacettepe University, Turkey Positive outcome after adverse events, namely posttraumatic growth, has been shown to exist in several different cultures and samples. Although the universality of growth has been demonstrated, there are some differences between studies in terms of the extent and type of growth reported. These differences seem to arise from the sample and trauma type. For example, studies suggest that there may be less growth associated with personal traumas such as physical or sexual assault, and more growth associated with shared traumas such as disasters. Our team has studied growth in two different samples of earthquake survivors, in young Iraqi war survivors living in Turkey, and emergency medical technicians with work-related trauma exposure. I will summarize the results of three studies on different samples/stressors, and will try to show the similarities and differences between studies in terms of degree and type of growth reported in each study.
Organizer: Kanako Taku Oakland University, United States of America Discussant: Kanako Taku Oakland University, United States of America Session Abstract: As a wide range of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual changes have been systematically studied following trauma, posttraumatic growth (PTG) and resilience have attracted considerable attention in the field of psychology, medicine, education, and other health-related disciplines. It is important to discuss what we know so far about the culturally-constant and culturally-specific aspects of PTG and resilience, and how we can improve our research to be more culturally sensitive and applicable. The current symposium presents the findings from four different cultures. First, findings about PTG among cancer survivors in Hong Kong will be presented. Second, the relationships between PTG and
Posttraumatic growth in Turkey: different samples, different trauma types
The Experience of Medical Student Volunteers Participating in the
Relief Efforts Following Japan’s 3/11 Triple Disaster Robert T Yanagisawa, Craig L Katz Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States of America The March 2011 "triple disaster" (earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident) had a profound effect on northern Japan. We investigated Fukushima Medical University students’ involvement in the disaster response and examined the psychological impact of their experiences using a survey that included elements of the Davidson Trauma Scale and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Students who volunteered were more likely to want to help and to feel capable of helping along with an increased desire to become a physician. Volunteers also showed significantly higher scores in total and on nearly every domain of the PTGI. Posttraumatic growth was significantly associated with the number of volunteer activities a student was involved in. And, participation in post-disaster relief efforts did not appear to have a harmful effect on medical students We will discuss the implications of these findings for mobilizing volunteers, student or otherwise, after future disasters.
Characteristics of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) Atsushi Oshio Waseda University, Japan Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is one of the most widely-used inventories to assess individual differences in posttraumatic growth (PTG). This talk presents the characteristics of the PTGI from two standpoints. First, I discuss how similar concepts, PTG and resiliency, should be distinguished by comparing the PTGI with resilience scales. Correlation analyses between these scales and Big Five personality inventory support the differences between PTG and resilience. Second, I present the findings from an item-level analysis of the PTGI to identify the type of growth that is explained by two major precursors for PTG, disruption of core beliefs and deliberate rumination (see Taku & Oshio, 2015). Multivariate multiple regression analysis showed that five out of 21 items were accounted for by both challenges to core beliefs and deliberate rumination. Taken together, features of the PTGI will be discussed.
IAAP INVITED SYMPOSIUM IAAP11 Psychology, Terrorism and National Emergency Organizer: Jose M Prieto Spanish Psychological Association, Spain Discussants: Maria Paz Garcia-Vera (1), Wilson López-Lopez (2) 1. Complutense University of Madrid, Spain; 2. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia
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Psychology of Disaster Session Abstract: a) two psychological studies in Spain with victims of terrorism examining the impact of traumatic events, and the efficacy of psychological training for reducing stress in emergency situations, b) one study in China examining the existence or not of a psychopathic personality among terrorists, c)one study that scrutinizes how mass media differentiate actors in terrorist actions and how they introduce the notion of forgiveness and reconciliation after 50 years of bloodshed in Colombia, d) one study in Japan that examines why people join terrorist groups and what psychological protocols have been tried and tested to deactivate their closed-minded belief system, e)a final paper surveys how the art of concealment and disguise has produced in Japan manuals almost unknown by psychologists specialized in terrorism and criminology but well known in the West because there are translations and readers in English, French, German or Spanish who use each one as workbooks.
The art of concealment and disguise Jose M Prieto Complutense University, Spain Terrorism and Concealment come together. It is an old art, well documented in Japan: Bansen shukai, Ninpiden, Ninpo Hikan, Shoninki, are four classical 17th century books, almost unknown among (Japanese and non Japanese) psychologists specialized in examining the nexus between Criminal Psychology and Terrorism, but well known abroad, because there have been translations into English, French, German, Spanish during the last two decades. Why so much interest, what kind of readers are interested in this kind of manuals? Cognitive and behavioral terms are used in the description of principles, strategies and opportunities, the correct mind, emotional states, changes in appearance and open disguise. clandestine activities, guidelines for commanders, practice and training, how to bring true intentions to light or how to leave a trail of false clues behind. Even a set of 100 waka (traditional five verse poems) learned by heart and reminded as suggestions just in case.
The Terrorist Mind and Social Psychological Manipulation Kimiaki Nishida Rissho University, Japan To play a role against terrorism, psychologists must focus on two aspects of the terrorist mind. One is to explain psychologically why people join radical and criminal groups to kill innocent people. The other is to find ways to succeed in the disarmament of their closed minds. However, there has been hither to insufficient researches in respect to their aspects. About twenty years ago in Japan, there were unprecedented terrorist attacks by a religious cult, which went by the name Aum Supreme Truth. Japanese society was surprised that they
953 used chemical weapons, and that they were in positions considered elite in Japanese society. This series of cult incidents lead us to study these aspects of the terrorist mind. We have since developed a theory of cult psychological manipulation in the recruitment, maintenance and attack processes, which is applicable to psychological studies of counter-terrorism across the world.
The media dynamics of war: legitimization of violent action Wilson López-Lopez Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia Colombia has experienced a war lasting over 50 years, which has been linked to economic, political, legal, environmental, cultural, social and psychosocial aspects. A wealth of literature exists related to some of them, especially from the points of view of sociology, political science, history and economy. However, the fundamental psychosocial aspects of this war have not been sufficiently studied so far. This presentation aims to show one of these aspects, namely the way in which mass media have dealt with war. Specifically, we will present the type of media strategies that different actors of this war have used and how those relate to the ways in which people have conceptualized processes such as forgiveness and reconciliation. The role that they have played, and still play, in the legitimization of violent or peaceful actions, will be clearly shown.
Does what doesn’t kill you make you stronger? Effects of previous and subsequent traumatic events in the long-term mental health of victims of terrorism Maria Paz Garcia-Vera, Jesus Sanz, Noelia Moran, Clara Gesteira, Altungy Pedro Complutense University of Madrid, Spain This symposium contribution will present the results of a study aimed at examining the impact of previous and subsequent traumatic events in the long-term mental health of victims of terrorism. Measures of traumatic events (SCID-I), posttraumatic stress disorder (PCL-S), depression (BDI-II) and anxiety (BAI) were administered to 520 adult victims of terrorism a mean of 21 years since the terrorist attacks had occurred. Results from several linear and curvilinear regression analyses revealed a sensitization effect of previous traumatic events: victims who had experienced more traumatic events previously to the terrorist attack showed higher levels of psychopathology. This contribution will discuss the implications of these results for both clinical practice and policies of psychological assistance to victims of terrorist acts.
Efficacy of stress management training for emergency personnel
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in situations involving radiation and chemical contaminants Jesus Sanz (1), Maria Paz Garcia-Vera (1), Samper Eduardo (2), Peraza Jesus (2) 1. Complutense University of Madrid, Spain; 2. Ministry of Defense, Spain This symposium contribution will present the results of a study aimed at examining the efficacy of psychological training for reducing stress in emergency personnel specialized in radiation and chemical emergencies. A sample of 25 members of the Spanish Military Emergency Unit (UME) were randomized to a stress-management training condition (SMT) or a control condition (physical training) 2-3 weeks before their participation in an emergency drill involving radiation and chemical contaminants. Emergency personnel who received SMT showed higher pre-post intervention reductions in their emergency-related worries than did emergency personnel in the control condition. However, no significant differences between groups were found in pre-post intervention reductions in emotional and physiological indices of stress. This contribution will discuss the implications of these results for the preparedness and response for a radiological or chemical emergency.
CONTRIBUTED SYMPOSIUM CS100 Living and coping with natural disasters Organizer: Evelin Witruk University of Leipzig, Germany Discussant: Evelin I Witruk University of Leipzig, Germany Session Abstract: The symposium is pertaining to the natural disasters (e.g., tsunami and earthquake in Indonesia, volcano eruption in Indonesia and Iran), which offers some insight in coping and surviving strategies for the affected people in those regions. Two long-term status-analyses will show the roles of protective and risk factors in recovering the aftermath of the 2006 earthquake on Java. Witruk et al. investigated coping strategies, belief in a just world, and the attribution of the experienced disaster, while Akbar studied posttraumatic growth, social support, spirituality, and coping for affected and non- affected adults. Two intervention studies (i.e., mediator training) will be introduced applying psycho-social intervention for affected children after the tsunami 2004 in Matara (Sri-Lanka: Senarath), and for adult survivors of the volcano eruption on Java (Indonesia: Qurotul). A program for the mental preparation to a disaster for the citizens of the region Teheran will be introduced by Khanheh and Roudini.
954 Development of a program for the mental preparation to disasters for the citizens of the Teheran capital city of Iran Hamidrerza Khankeh (1), Juliet Roudini (2) 1. University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Sweden; 2. Juliet Roudini, Germany Background: Disaster preparedness and/or emergency preparedness is actions taken prior to a disaster or catastrophic event that facilitates effective, rapid response to the situation. Preparedness activities aim to mitigate negative outcomes for individuals and communities. Aim: To develop a mental preparation program for people who live in Iranian capital city Tehran. Methods: We used content analysis to find main components and indicators, which can show Community Psychological Preparedness. Result: the preliminary expected result will increase the level of individual disaster preparedness, promoting, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and ultimate resiliency for members of the society. Furthermore, the program will improve problem-solving skills, reduce anxiety, increase coping, and empower persons to take personal responsibility for their own well- being and safety. Conclusion: Developing a personal level of mental health preparedness is substantial in emergency. We will discuss the significant impacts on destruction and the long-term psychological consequences of the Iranian recently disastrous events.
Psychological wellbeing after personal and natural disasters among university students Asanka Bulathwatta, Evelin Witruk University of Leipzig,Germany, Germany Exposure to natural and manmade disasters can be associated with long term mental health consequences also for university students. This study asks about the discrimination between two groups of students: experienced natural disaster and experienced manmade trauma. We assumed that both groups can be differentiated by predictor models of their psychological wellbeing several years after the exposure to disasters. Study involved 356 university students from Sri Lanka and Germany and took place 2014/2015. For each group a significant predictor model regarding the student’s wellbeing could be proofed. For the group which experienced a natural disaster the prediction model (R2 = .782, p
