The Weaning Syndrome: Acquired Dependence among Super Cyclone Victims in Orissa

Abstract

Eighty-two super cyclone victims from nine villages of Erasama block in Orissa were inter viewed to analyse their perception of post-cyclone relief and rehabilitation programmes, self-confidence, initiatives, future plans and causal attribution. The findings revealed that the villagers had awareness of various relief measures and had received the benefits without much perceived effort. However, the relief programmes had not increased their self-confidence and initiative. The victims showed a tendency to remain dependent on external help and had fatalistic causal attribution. The findings have been interpreted as showing passivity and weaning syndrome acquired by noncontingent gratuitous relief following the disaster experience. Analysis of two case studies and views of three social workers also support the interpretation of the findings.