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

Author

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  • 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
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    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.
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