IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v21y2024i6p756-d1411810.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Adolescents’ Tsunami Exposure and Mental Health Consequences: Protective Role of Cultural Coping Strategies

Author

Listed:
  • Thulitha Wickrama

    (Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA)

  • Michael J. Merten

    (Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA)

  • K. A. S. Wickrama

    (Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Amanda Terrell

    (School of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA)

Abstract

There is a knowledge gap regarding the link between disaster exposure and adolescent mental health problems in developing countries. This study examines the case of Sri Lanka to investigate (a) the immediate and long-term mental health impact of the 2004 tsunami disaster on adolescents and (b) the potential moderating effects of unique cultural and family practices that prevail in Sri Lanka. This study used a random sample of 160 adolescents (ages 12–19) and their mothers who were exposed to the tsunami disaster while living in a southern Sri Lankan village and provided prospective data immediately after the disaster (2005) and three years later (2008). A cross-culturally validated instrument assessed adolescent–mother dyads’ tsunami exposure, stressful loss, family cultural rituals and familism, and adolescent mental health. Structural equation modeling analysis showed that exposure and perceptions of tsunami-induced stressful experiences were associated with early and later mental health problems in adolescents. In addition, this study found that unique cultural practices and familism moderated the link between adolescent tsunami exposure, stressful experiences, and levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms. The findings of this study could be utilized to develop prevention and intervention programs that are contextually and culturally valid and empirically supported, which would be more effective for trauma-exposed adolescents in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Thulitha Wickrama & Michael J. Merten & K. A. S. Wickrama & Amanda Terrell, 2024. "Adolescents’ Tsunami Exposure and Mental Health Consequences: Protective Role of Cultural Coping Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:6:p:756-:d:1411810
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/6/756/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/6/756/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. K.A.S. Wickrama & T. Wickrama, 2011. "Perceived community participation in tsunami recovery efforts and the mental health of tsunami-affected mothers: Findings from a study in rural Sri Lanka," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(5), pages 518-527, September.
    2. Tara Powell & Kate M. Wegmann & Emily Backode, 2021. "Coping and Post-Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents after an Acute Onset Disaster: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-18, May.
    3. Rajkumar, Anto P. & Premkumar, Titus S. & Tharyan, Prathap, 2008. "Coping with the Asian tsunami: Perspectives from Tamil Nadu, India on the determinants of resilience in the face of adversity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(5), pages 844-853, September.
    4. Wickrama, K.A.S. & Kaspar, Violet, 2007. "Family context of mental health risk in Tsunami-exposed adolescents: Findings from a pilot study in Sri Lanka," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(3), pages 713-723, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. K.A.S. Wickrama & T. Wickrama, 2011. "Perceived community participation in tsunami recovery efforts and the mental health of tsunami-affected mothers: Findings from a study in rural Sri Lanka," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(5), pages 518-527, September.
    2. Alisha KC & Connie Cai Ru Gan & Febi Dwirahmadi, 2019. "Breaking Through Barriers and Building Disaster Mental Resilience: A Case Study in the Aftermath of the 2015 Nepal Earthquakes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-18, August.
    3. Simone P. Nguyen & Cameron L. Gordon, 2024. "Children’s Expressions of Gratitude for General and Specific Categories Amid a Pandemic," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 1-22, April.
    4. Giuseppina Spano & Mario Elia & Onofrio Cappelluti & Giuseppe Colangelo & Vincenzo Giannico & Marina D’Este & Raffaele Lafortezza & Giovanni Sanesi, 2021. "Is Experience the Best Teacher? Knowledge, Perceptions, and Awareness of Wildfire Risk," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-12, August.
    5. Xiaoyi Cao & Xiaolian Jiang & Xiaolin Li & Man-chun Jenny Hui Lo & Rong Li, 2013. "Family Functioning and Its Predictors among Disaster Bereaved Individuals in China: Eighteen Months after the Wenchuan Earthquake," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-8, April.
    6. Chiu, Hsin-Yao & McGuire, Austen B. & Jackson, Yo & Stoolmiller, Mike L. & Rodriguez, Alyssa M., 2023. "Maneuvering through life with positivity: Estimating the effects of foster youth’s appraisal on coping styles," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    7. Alto, Michelle E. & Petrenko, Christie L.M., 2017. "Fostering secure attachment in low- and middle-income countries: Suggestions for evidence-based interventions," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 151-165.
    8. Lei Sun & Guiwu Su & Qing Tian & Wenhua Qi & Fenggui Liu & Min Qi & Ruoyu Li, 2019. "Religious belief and Tibetans’ response to earthquake disaster: a case study of the 2010 Ms 7.1 Yushu earthquake, Qinghai Province, China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 99(1), pages 141-159, October.
    9. Rao, Smitha, 2020. "A natural disaster and intimate partner violence: Evidence over time," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    10. Thulitha Wickrama & Scott A. Ketring, 2012. "Change in the health of tsunami-exposed mothers three years after the natural disaster," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 58(3), pages 278-288, May.
    11. Devendraraj Madhanagopal & Sarmistha Pattanaik, 2020. "Exploring fishermen’s local knowledge and perceptions in the face of climate change: the case of coastal Tamil Nadu, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 3461-3489, April.
    12. Bountress, Kaitlin E. & Gilmore, Amanda K. & Metzger, Isha W. & Aggen, Steven H. & Tomko, Rachel L. & Danielson, Carla Kmett & Williamson, Vernell & Vladmirov, Vladimir & Ruggiero, Kenneth & Amstadter, 2020. "Impact of disaster exposure severity: Cascading effects across parental distress, adolescent PTSD symptoms, as well as parent-child conflict and communication," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    13. Md Abu Bakkar Siddik & Akher Ali & Md. Rajwanullha Shakil & Md. Khalid Syfullah & Md. Shamsul Hoque & Md Amirul Islam & Hongyan Guo & Saiyeeda Labiba Ali, 2025. "Impact of climate-induced migration on depression: a study between disaster-affected migrant and non-migrant adolescents," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 178(4), pages 1-21, April.
    14. Naiara Ozamiz-Etxebarria & Idoia Legorburu Fernandez & Nahia Idoiaga-Mondragon & Beatriz Olaya & Jeffrey H. D. Cornelius-White & Javier Santabárbara, 2023. "Post-Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis and Intervention Approaches to Ensure Mental Health and Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, March.
    15. Rute Brites & Mauro Paulino & Sofia Brissos & Sofia Gabriel & Laura Alho & Mário R. Simões & Carlos F. Silva, 2023. "Initial Psychological Reactions to COVID-19 of Middle Adolescents in Portugal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-12, May.
    16. N/A, 2011. "Mental health and psychosocial consequences of armed conflict and natural disasters," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(1_suppl), pages 57-78, March.
    17. Orit Shapiro & Riki Tesler & Sharon Barak & Lilach Ben-Meir & Ariela Giladi & Rachel Nissanholtz-Gannot & Gizell Green & Moti Zwilling & Avi Zigdon & Yossi Harel-Fisch, 2022. "A Biopsychosocial Approach to Examining Alcohol Consumption among Youth during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-15, November.
    18. Katie S Dawson & Richard A Bryant, 2016. "Children’s Vantage Point of Recalling Traumatic Events," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(9), pages 1-13, September.
    19. Wickrama, K.A.S. & Wickrama, K.A. Thulitha, 2008. "Family context of mental health risk in Tsunami affected mothers: Findings from a pilot study in Sri Lanka," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(4), pages 994-1007, February.
    20. Shin, Su Hyun & Ji, Hyunjung, 2021. "Health risks of natural hazards and resilience resources: Evidence from a U.S. nationwide longitudinal study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:6:p:756-:d:1411810. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.