The Effects of Natural Disaster on the Resilience of PTSD Victims

Natural disasters are calamitous events caused by the effects of nature that may result in the destruction of property, environment, or the loss of a human life. Typhoons, earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, drought, blizzards, and other occurrences on and within Earth. Natural disasters are considered to be widespread negative psychological and physical health consequences. PTSD victims tends to live in fear and threat in their everyday lives after the disaster. Having moments of remembering the tragic events that have occurred in their lives and never wanting to relive the experience again. Affecting them on having to live a life without tremendous fear as each day passes by them. The aim of the study is to understand the effects of natural disasters on the resilience of PTSD victims: (1) how natural disasters affect the resilience of PTSD victims; (2) how individuals cope in the face of a disaster; (3) The demographics of individuals (age, gender, civil status, and living arrangement) are affected by a natural disaster. The research design of the study conducted a non-experimental predictive cross-sectional study. The participants of the research are individuals, ages 18 and above, who are living in areas inside Metro Manila, has experienced the effects of natural disasters, and victims of PTSD. The results showed PTSD not being a significant predictor to resilience. Possible factors to why PTSD could not be a significant predictor to resilience may be due to individual differences. Other results showed that the interactive effects between PTSD and demographic factors (gender, age, civil status, and living arrangement) are not significant predictors to resilience. In conclusion, the study of PTSD predicting an individual’s resilience to the effects of natural disasters. Results showed that the interactive effects between PTSD and demographic factors, and PTSD solely is not a significant predictor of an individual’s resilience. Recommendations for future researchers should consider is finding a different variable in predicting resilience. External factors can also be considered that could affect individuals such as the intensity of the disaster, living environment, or the level of resources in providing mental healthcare in the area.