Loss of homeland: a qualitative study of the changes in perception of relocated Sichuan earthquake survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder

Chunsong Yang,Zhengjia Ren,Junwei Guo

doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02789-5

Abstract

BackgroundThis research aims to explore the life experiences of relocated earthquake survivors with PTSD and develop a conceptual framework for understanding their life experiences.MethodInterviews were conducted with twenty-three participants. The participant selection, data collection and analysis were based on grounded theory methodology. A theoretical model called “loss of homeland” was developed.ResultsLoss of homeland was the most important condition that influenced the relocated participants’ self-identity, social connections, and meaning system. These aspects were categorized into existential changes, lost connections, and changes in identity. Post-disaster relocation threatens individuals’ sense of meaning, integrity of self, and sense of belonging, affects every aspect of everyday life and shatters their inner and outer harmony.ConclusionsFurther research guided by this theoretical model is needed to inform post-disaster mental health services and relocation policy. Mental health professionals and policy makers can make more informed decisions in terms of disaster relocation policy and manage post-disaster psychological disturbances by focusing on both places and people.

Highlights

This research aims to explore the life experiences of relocated earthquake survivors with Posttraumatic stress disorder DSM-IV (PTSD) and develop a conceptual framework for understanding their life experiences
Further research guided by this theoretical model is needed to inform post-disaster mental health services and relocation policy
This study aims to explore the life experiences of relocated earthquake survivors with PTSD

Summary

Introduction

This research aims to explore the life experiences of relocated earthquake survivors with PTSD and develop a conceptual framework for understanding their life experiences. The victims of the devastating Sichuan earthquake on May 12, 2008 have yet to fully process their extreme life experience. Based on the theory proposed by Anthony Giddens, “place” is conceptualized by the idea of locale, which refers to the physical settings of social activity, as geographically situated [13]. Human activities, such as social engagement, religious or memorial services, community ceremonies, oral histories of the community or family, and burials, occur in spaces, and people transform spaces into meaningful places to create a feeling of place that serves as the foundation of a sense of belonging [13, 14]. As described by Chinese sociologist Fei, attachment to “soil” reflects the inner psychological world of rural Chinese farmers and is central to their self-identity, sense of belonging, sense of meaning and value and is the root of their lives [16]

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