Publication

Abstract : This paper examines protective factors and coping strategies among survivors of the 2004 tsunami in Alappad Panchayat, Kerala, India. In an earlier study with residents from coastal communities in Alappad Panchayat, those in more severely affected areas continued to experience higher traumatic stress and psychological distress levels two and a half years after the tsunami. Perceived social support was linked to lower traumatic stress and psychological distress, while avoidance coping was associated with lower traumatic stress. A 2019 follow-up study focused on women’s psychological coping strategies, identifying coping mechanisms such as seeking emotional and practical support from others, emotional release through crying, engaging in prayer and religious practices, and using distraction. The research underscored the importance of social support networks and community strategies, mainly through women’s self-help groups that provided essential emotional and financial assistance. Based on these findings, several disaster response strategies are recommended: maintaining extended family units during evacuation and relocation, relocating communities as whole units when necessary, strengthening community bonds through group activities, supporting women’s self-help groups for microfinance and social support, and providing basic psychosocial care through community-level workers. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of developing culturally informed disaster response strategies and policies that prioritize maintaining social support networks and fostering community cohesion.