Tropical cyclone Oscar 1983 : Psychological reactions of a Fijian population

ABSTRACT

This study provides information on the natural history of human response to disasters. In this case compensation issues or psychological intervention did not influence the outcome. This data should be of value to health service planners charged with providing medical services after a modest natural disaster. The main findings, in summary, were that in the weeks after a cyclone a significant proportion of the population was suffering from neurotic and physical symptoms. No group escaped but the elderly and those who lost the most fared the worst. Race made no difference and these results were comparable to those found in studies of caucasians. For most, the disturbance was transient and by three months morbidity levels had almost returned to control levels. A small number of individuals however remained severely disturbed and would probably require treatment