From housing reconstruction to long-term psychological recovery, an expert-based inquiry into critical factors

Purpose Housing reconstruction is integral to slow recovery and return to life. As a result, housing reconstruction is expected to lead to a long-term earthquake psychological recovery. However, in different worldwide experiences, the aggravation or continuation of these consequences has always appeared, which shows the knowledge gap in the relationship between housing reconstruction and psychological recovery. In this regard, lessons learned from past earthquakes will be one of the most effective ways to obtain practical knowledge. Since lessons learned from past earthquakes will be one of the most effective ways to obtain practical knowledge, this article aims to explore ways to achieve psychological recovery through housing reconstruction by examining the 2003 Bam earthquake from the perspective of experts. Design/methodology/approach According to the research purpose, this study attempts to review Bam housing reconstruction and extract its critical factors in psychological recovery based on the active key experts’ point of view. This research has a combined quantitative and qualitative approach using Q-methodology and the Delphi technique. Research participants include 23 key experts in the fields of Bam housing design and reconstruction and disaster psychologists active in this city. Findings In the earthquake psychological recovery of Bam survivors, six factors, including safety reassurance, flexibility, personalization, belief in self-efficacy, Solastalgia/place attachment, as well as empowering reconstruction policies and planning, and 55 subfactors had potentially positive or intensifying effects. Originality/value The psychological consequences of the earthquake in the housing reconstruction frame must lead to a sense of security and safety, environmental control, restoration of familiarity and, as a result, recovery. In this process, housing reconstruction emerged as both a process and a product, which had a 62.6% effect on the long-term and slow psychological recovery of Bam’s affected community.