Citation

Ibañez GE, Buck CA, Khatchikian N, Norris FH. Anxiety Stress Coping 2004; 17(1): 69-85.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10615800310001639628

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study describes the various coping strategies reportedly used by survivors after a disaster. Using unstructured interviews, 27 Mexicans (16 women, 11 men) were asked to recount how they coped with a specific disaster and its aftermath. Interviews were carried out in three cities: Guadalajara, Jalisco (n=10), Homestead, Florida (n=6) and Puerto Angel, Oaxaca (n=11). Guadalajara experienced a neighbourhood sewer explosion, whereas Homestead and Puerto Angel experienced Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Paulina, respectively. Analysis of common themes revealed seeking support, seeking meaning, problem solving, and avoidance as primary coping strategies in all three cities. Seeking support was the most commonly cited coping strategy. Seeking support may be a universal coping strategy for disaster survivors, whereas other coping strategies varied by context-specific factors such as type of disaster, resource availability, and stage of disaster recovery. Implications for future coping research and interventions are discussed.