Promoting Child and Family Resilience to Disasters: Effects, Interventions and Prevention Effectiveness

Kevin R. Ronan
Kylie Crellin
Central Queensland University

David M. Johnston
Julia Becker
Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences and Massey University

Kirsten Finnis
Massey University

Douglas Paton
University of Tasmania
Australia

University of Tasmania
Australia

Citation: Ronan, Kevin R., Kylie Crellin, David M. Johnston, Julia Becker, Kirsten Finnis and Douglas Paton (2008). "Promoting Child and Family Resilience to Disasters: Effects, Interventions and Prevention Effectiveness." Children, Youth and Environments 18 (1): 332-353. Retrieved [date] from http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/

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Abstract

This paper combines the findings of research aimed at assisting children, youth, and families to more effectively cope with the effects of disasters with a review of the relevant literature. We briefly review the effects of disasters on children, summarizing theory and research on risk and protective factors, interventions following a hazardous event, and promoting children’s resilience. We also look at the role of preventive interventions in assisting children and their families to prepare both physically and psychologically for disasters. Finally, we summarize findings from evaluation of school-level hazards education programs in New Zealand. Based on promising research to date, we highlight factors that may underpin hazard intervention effectiveness.

Keywords: children, youth, families, natural disasters, prevention, education