Psychosocial Experiences of Disaster-Affected Women in Tamil Nadu: Empirical Evidences from Cyclone-Hit Regions of Thiruvarur District

Natural calamities are unavoidable and can significantly disrupt the environment and people's lives. Disasters can strike at any time and in any place, so having a plan to deal with them is crucial. Disaster management encompasses planned and deliberate measures for mitigating the effects of natural disasters on the community. Women, particularly in underdeveloped nations, where gender inequality is prevalent, are generally more vulnerable to the impacts of disasters due to factors like lack of finances, limited mobility and decision-making authority. Disasters can also disrupt healthcare services, making it difficult for women to get the required treatment, resulting in stress, fear and anxiety due to these conditions. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can arise in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Research indicates that women are more likely to experience PTSD than men following a tragedy. This research seeks to assess the prevalence and severity of PTSD among women who have lived through the aftermath of the cyclone and to identify the factors that lead to its onset in this group of people. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of mental health issues and PTSD among women affected by cyclones in the delta regions of Tamil Nadu, India. The study focuses on how natural disasters, which are more frequent in this area, affect people psychologically. The research uses quantitative analysis and descriptive methods to explain the prevalence of mental health conditions among the impacted women. The study's findings indicate that women in Tamil Nadu's delta regions who are affected by cyclones are particularly vulnerable to developing PTSD. The results of this study have significant ramifications for those who provide mental health services, work in disaster management and are involved in policymaking to promote the mental health of women impacted by natural disasters. The present study also aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on mental health conditions, in particular PTSD and its impact on the mental health of women affected by natural disasters.