Natural Disasters and Terrorism

These fact sheets provide summaries of previous research on natural disasters of various types in addition to providing information on the effects of disasters and terrorism.

Fact Sheets on Natural Disasters and Terrorism:

• The Range, Magnitude, and Duration of Effects of Natural and Human-Caused Disasters: A Review of the Empirical Literature
  A 2002 review of the empirical literature on disaster response (with 2005 update link), summarizing the types of problems associated with disaster, how many people experience them and long they typically last.
  
• Risk Factors for Adverse Outcomes in Natural and Human-Caused Disasters: A Review of the Empirical Literature
  The focus of this report is on pre-disaster, within disaster, and post-disaster risk factors that influence who is most likely to experience serious and lasting psychological distress as a result of a disaster.
  
• Survivors of Human-Caused and Natural Disasters
  Considers questions asked by survivors: What psychological problems might be experienced by survivors of a disaster? What are the risk factors for developing problems? What can be done to reduce the risk of negative consequences and to best recover from...
  
• Psychosocial Resources in the Aftermath of Natural and Human-Caused Disasters
  A Review of the Empirical Literature, with Implications for Intervention. Outlines the benefits of psychological and social resources in the aftermath of disaster, and the impact that the loss of these resources will have on psychological response.
  
• Effects of Traumatic Stress after Mass Violence, Terror or Disaster
  Discusses normal and problematic responses to disaster. Describes PTSD, ASD, associated problems, and bereavement complications.
  
• Recommendations for Pharmacological Treatment of Acute Stress Reactions
  Discusses treatment alternatives for acute traumatic stress reactions, who should receive treatment, when treatment should begin, and what medications should be prescribed.
  
• Disasters and Domestic Violence
  Looks at the research to determine if domestic violence (DV) increases after a disaster and whether DV influence women's postdisaster recovery.
  
• Disasters and Substance Abuse or Dependence
  A summary of disaster research and substance abuse or dependence.
  
• Psychosocial Consequences of Natural Disasters in Developing Countries
  What Does Past Research Tell Us About the Potential Effects of the 2004 Tsunami? A more extensive review of the research literature on the effects of severe natural disasters by disaster expert, Dr. Fran Norris. Also available as a pdf.
  
• The Effects of Natural Disasters.
  Briefly describes the research to date on the psychological effects of natural disasters with a focus on hurricanes.
  
• Types of Debriefings
  Describes several types of debriefing following a trauma, and discusses the pros and cons of this form of mental health intervention.
  
• Psychosocial Consequences of Major Hurricanes and Floods:
  Range, Duration, and Magnitude of Effects and Risk Factors for Adverse Outcomes from Major Hurricanes and Floods, summarizes the research to date on the psychological effects of hurricanes, floods, tornados, and dam collapses.
  
• What Are the Traumatic Stress Effects of Terrorism?
  Compiles a list of terrorist attacks that have occurred over the past 20 years and reports some of the findings from the research that has been done.
  
• 60,000 disaster victims speak: part I, an empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981-2001 (PDF)
  Results for 160 samples of disaster victims were coded as to sample type, disaster type, disaster location, outcomes and risk factors observed, and overall severity of impairment. In order of frequency, outcomes included specific psychological problems,...
  
• 60,000 disaster victims speak: part II, summary and implications of the disaster mental health research (PDF)
  On the basis of the literature reviewed in Part I of this two-part series, the authors recommend early intervention following disasters, especially when the disaster is associated with extreme and widespread damage to property, ongoing financial problems...
  
• Impact of Mass Shootings on Survivors, Families and Communities (PDF)
  RQ Vol. 18(3) This issue of the PTSD Research Quarterly explores the literature on the impact of mass shootings. Research on mass shootings is not extensive but is sufficient to allow preliminary conclusions about (1) the prevalence, persistence, and...
  
• Research on the Psychological Effects of Wildfires: A Bibliography
  A brief summary of the research to date on the psychological impact of wildfires including a link to a bibliography from...