Abstract
BackgroundThe 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China resulted in great loss of life and property, and previous studies have focused on psychopathological symptoms in survivors after disasters. This study examined perceived family functioning and its predictors in disaster bereaved individuals eighteen months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.Methodology/FindingsThis was a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 264 bereaved individuals. The instruments used in the study included Family APGAR Index, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale??, Emotional and Social Loneliness Scale, and a range of items eliciting demographic characteristics and disaster-related variables. The results indicated that the rates of moderate family dysfunction and severe family dysfunction in bereaved individuals were 37.1% and 12.9%, respectively. Less financial loss during the earthquake was a significant predictor for positive family function. Better self-rated health status after the earthquake was significantly related to positive family function, cohesion, and adaptability. Scores on family cohesion and adaptability in bereaved individuals from extended or nuclear families were significantly higher than those from single-parent families. The ability to give birth to another baby of bereaved parents was a significant predictor for positive family function and cohesion. Poorer family function, cohesion and adaptability were significantly related to greater loneliness.Conclusions/SignificanceThis study found a high prevalence of family dysfunction in bereaved individuals eighteen months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Strategies can be designed to facilitate post-disaster recovery, particularly for the bereaved at high risk for family dysfunction. The study provides useful information for post-disaster rebuilding and relief work.
Highlights
Natural disasters can occur rapidly and unpredictably leading to great loss of life and property, increased resource consumption within the family, and family dysfunction [1,2]
Conclusions/Significance: This study found a high prevalence of family dysfunction in bereaved individuals eighteen months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake
Functioning in bereaved individuals Our study found that half of the bereaved individuals reported family dysfunction and 48.9% of the respondents reported a midrange or extreme family type
Summary
Natural disasters can occur rapidly and unpredictably leading to great loss of life and property, increased resource consumption within the family, and family dysfunction [1,2]. Dysfunction can in turn result in a range of psychological and behavioral problems, such as alcohol and drug abuse, depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [3,4]. Known predictors for family functioning include demographic characteristics, such as gender, age, marital status, educational level, occupation, and economic status [9,10]. Family variables such as family structure, family support and coping style are identified as significant predictors for family functioning [11,12]. The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China resulted in great loss of life and property, and previous studies have focused on psychopathological symptoms in survivors after disasters. This study examined perceived family functioning and its predictors in disaster bereaved individuals eighteen months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake
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