Evidence-Based Interventions for Children and Families During Disaster Recovery: Trends, Lessons Learned, and Future Directions

Abstract

In the past 20 years, climate-induced disasters have significantly increased in severity and frequency. Disasters can cause catastrophic damage, destroying homes and displacing individuals, families, and communities, often evoking psychological distress among survivors. Children and youth are among the most vulnerable during and after a disaster with risk and protective factors playing an important role in post-disaster adaptation. Risk factors that increase the likelihood of short- and long-term distress include higher level of disaster exposure, pre-existing mental health challenges, maladaptive coping, and family conflict. Conversely, protective factors such as social connection, healthy family relationships, self-efficacy, and positive coping reduce the likelihood of post-disaster distress. Evidence-based prevention and treatment interventions can also play an important role in helping children and youth recover after a disaster. Effective post-disaster interventions include activities that aim to increase emotional and behavioral regulation, adaptive coping skills, and peer and caregiver connections. It is well documented that interventions can aid in a young person’s recovery. However, limited funding and challenges with participant recruitment and retention are inherent in post-disaster service delivery and research.KeywordsRisk and protective factorsEvidence-based interventionsDisaster mental healthChildrenDisaster recoveryPost-disasterJourney of Hope