Distinctions that Matter:

Abstract

In reviewing the development of mental health interest in and research about disasters, there are many seminal studies and publications, building progressively in their contributions to the science of disaster field. The field of disaster mental health research emerged from inquiries into the phenomena associated with the mental health impacts of war. Mental health aspects of disasters became a more specific focus during the 1970s and 1980s. Interventions have been a focus of review in terms of current knowledge, effective models, and the need for research and evaluation of interventions that are provided. Resilience has long been recognized by trauma experts, though they acknowledge it may coexist with painful emotional scars. Researchers across the globe have contributed to the expanding science of disaster mental health. A number of studies focused on the stressor components, particularly those related to psychological trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).