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Phases of Disaster Response

• briefly  explain the five commonly accepted psychological phases of disaster  responses. As a reminder, these include (1) the pre-disaster phase, (2)  the hero phase, (3) the honeymoon phase, (4) the disillusionment phase,  and (5) the reconstruction phase.
• After  providing a review of the phases noted above, examine individual and  community responses to a specific historical disaster event of your  choice, provide a summary of the psychological phases of disaster  response displayed in the example.
• Explain, with detail, how the selected phase(s) is appropriate to describe the observed behavior(s) from the example.

• Phases of Disaster Response
• Close  your work with a discussion of the role of cultural competence during  any of the phases of psychological disaster response and how such  awareness might affect the actions of behavioral health professionals as  psychological first aid (PFA) is implemented.

• 1. What are the five psychological phases of disaster response?,

  2. How is the pre-disaster phase defined?,

  3. What happens during the hero and honeymoon phases?,

  4. How do communities experience disillusionment and reconstruction?,

  5. How does cultural competence affect disaster response and PFA?

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  Comprehensive General Answer:

  Five Psychological Phases of Disaster Response:

  1. Pre-Disaster Phase:
     This is the warning stage before a disaster occurs. It involves heightened anxiety, fear, and uncertainty as people prepare or brace for impact.

  2. Hero Phase:
     Immediately after a disaster strikes, people often exhibit altruism and high energy. There is an intense focus on rescuing others, providing aid, and meeting survival needs.

  3. Honeymoon Phase:
     During this phase, survivors experience strong community bonding and optimism. Support from organizations and external assistance brings hope, and people feel united in recovery efforts.

  4.  Phases of Disaster Response

  5. Disillusionment Phase:
     As external aid decreases, survivors may feel abandoned and overwhelmed by the slow pace of recovery. Frustration, stress, and mental health struggles often increase during this stage.

  6. Reconstruction Phase:
     This is the long-term recovery stage where individuals and communities work to rebuild. People begin adjusting to a “new normal,” although this phase can involve grief, resilience, or both.

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  Historical Disaster Example:

  Hurricane Katrina (2005)
  This catastrophic hurricane devastated New Orleans and surrounding regions, leading to massive loss of life, displacement, and destruction.

  • Pre-Disaster Phase: Warnings were issued, but many lacked resources to evacuate, creating anxiety and helplessness.

  • Hero Phase: First responders, neighbors, and volunteers engaged in rescue efforts, showing bravery amidst chaos.

  • Honeymoon Phase: National and global aid poured in; communities expressed unity and gratitude for the help.

  • Disillusionment Phase: As media attention faded and aid slowed, residents faced deep frustration with government failures and the slow rebuilding process.

  • Reconstruction Phase: Long-term rebuilding took years, with some neighborhoods never fully recovering, while others adapted with resilience.