Children and Families in the Context of Disasters: Implications for Preparedness and Response

While research and clinical experience have dramatically increased our knowledge about the emotional and behavioral effects of disasters, the focus has been primarily on individuals. In this paper, we summarize the literature on child and family adaptation to disasters, the influence of family members on one another’s disaster reactions, the effects of disasters on parenting, and the ability of parents to identify disaster reactions in their children. We include policy implications and present recommendations for preparedness and intervention and for empirical study. We conclude with general thoughts about the status of the field and the need for future research.