Collective memories and previous experiences of older people in the face of disaster risk processes: lessons learned, implication, and social support
IntroductionClimate change amplifies the vulnerability of various groups, especially of older people. Though seen as highly vulnerable, studies reveal their remarkable resilience and that they experience less distress than the young population. Collective memory and experience thus act as coping dev...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Climate |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2023.1272219/full |
| _version_ | 1797560879613476864 |
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| author | José Sandoval-Díaz José Sandoval-Díaz Camila Navarrete-Valladares Consuelo Suazo-Muñoz Soledad Martínez-Labrín |
| author_facet | José Sandoval-Díaz José Sandoval-Díaz Camila Navarrete-Valladares Consuelo Suazo-Muñoz Soledad Martínez-Labrín |
| author_sort | José Sandoval-Díaz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionClimate change amplifies the vulnerability of various groups, especially of older people. Though seen as highly vulnerable, studies reveal their remarkable resilience and that they experience less distress than the young population. Collective memory and experience thus act as coping devices, facilitating learning processes and adaptation when faced with natural risks.MethodThe objective was to characterize the lessons learned, implications and social support perceived by the older people in disaster risk situations. The study was conducted with six groups of older people in Ñuble (Chile) using the SWOT matrix (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), life stories, focus groups, photo evocation, and other participatory techniques. Content analysis was based on a systematic coding of category quantifications.ResultsNegative impacts and positive learning processes were identified that prompted significant changes and made post-traumatic growth processes and capacity-building possible. The type of disaster, its frequency and stage in which it occurs influence the perception of risk and coping strategies, underscoring the importance of strengthening communication about natural risks that are often rendered invisible, such as heat waves. Social support is the main source of collective capacity and has been shown to reduce perceived vulnerability to disaster risk scenarios.ConclusionsThe collective memory and prior disaster experiences of the older people provide them with tools to reinterpret new risk scenarios, highlighting their abilities and promoting their empowerment. These resources are crucial for the development of intergenerational learning aimed at comprehensive risk management. However, facing recent disaster risk situations such as COVID-19 or heatwaves has posed a challenge due to a lack of prior experiences and knowledge on how to handle them. This underscores the importance of having continuous psychoeducation, tailored to the specific and territorial needs of the older people, especially in the context of climate change. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:06:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c5be6d096e9a46f7945fa0c450ab4548 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2624-9553 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:06:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Climate |
| spelling | doaj.art-c5be6d096e9a46f7945fa0c450ab45482023-11-20T08:27:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Climate2624-95532023-11-01510.3389/fclim.2023.12722191272219Collective memories and previous experiences of older people in the face of disaster risk processes: lessons learned, implication, and social supportJosé Sandoval-Díaz0José Sandoval-Díaz1Camila Navarrete-Valladares2Consuelo Suazo-Muñoz3Soledad Martínez-Labrín4Centro de Estudios Ñuble, Universidad del Bío Bío, Chillán, ChileCentro Interuniversitario de Envejecimiento Saludable (CIES), Chillán, ChileDoctorado en Psicología, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, ChileCentro de Estudios Ñuble, Universidad del Bío Bío, Chillán, ChileCentro de Estudios Ñuble, Universidad del Bío Bío, Chillán, ChileIntroductionClimate change amplifies the vulnerability of various groups, especially of older people. Though seen as highly vulnerable, studies reveal their remarkable resilience and that they experience less distress than the young population. Collective memory and experience thus act as coping devices, facilitating learning processes and adaptation when faced with natural risks.MethodThe objective was to characterize the lessons learned, implications and social support perceived by the older people in disaster risk situations. The study was conducted with six groups of older people in Ñuble (Chile) using the SWOT matrix (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), life stories, focus groups, photo evocation, and other participatory techniques. Content analysis was based on a systematic coding of category quantifications.ResultsNegative impacts and positive learning processes were identified that prompted significant changes and made post-traumatic growth processes and capacity-building possible. The type of disaster, its frequency and stage in which it occurs influence the perception of risk and coping strategies, underscoring the importance of strengthening communication about natural risks that are often rendered invisible, such as heat waves. Social support is the main source of collective capacity and has been shown to reduce perceived vulnerability to disaster risk scenarios.ConclusionsThe collective memory and prior disaster experiences of the older people provide them with tools to reinterpret new risk scenarios, highlighting their abilities and promoting their empowerment. These resources are crucial for the development of intergenerational learning aimed at comprehensive risk management. However, facing recent disaster risk situations such as COVID-19 or heatwaves has posed a challenge due to a lack of prior experiences and knowledge on how to handle them. This underscores the importance of having continuous psychoeducation, tailored to the specific and territorial needs of the older people, especially in the context of climate change.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2023.1272219/fullcollective memorydisaster riskexperiencelearningolder peopleparticipatory methodologies |
| spellingShingle | José Sandoval-Díaz José Sandoval-Díaz Camila Navarrete-Valladares Consuelo Suazo-Muñoz Soledad Martínez-Labrín Collective memories and previous experiences of older people in the face of disaster risk processes: lessons learned, implication, and social support Frontiers in Climate collective memory disaster risk experience learning older people participatory methodologies |
| title | Collective memories and previous experiences of older people in the face of disaster risk processes: lessons learned, implication, and social support |
| title_full | Collective memories and previous experiences of older people in the face of disaster risk processes: lessons learned, implication, and social support |
| title_fullStr | Collective memories and previous experiences of older people in the face of disaster risk processes: lessons learned, implication, and social support |
| title_full_unstemmed | Collective memories and previous experiences of older people in the face of disaster risk processes: lessons learned, implication, and social support |
| title_short | Collective memories and previous experiences of older people in the face of disaster risk processes: lessons learned, implication, and social support |
| title_sort | collective memories and previous experiences of older people in the face of disaster risk processes lessons learned implication and social support |
| topic | collective memory disaster risk experience learning older people participatory methodologies |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2023.1272219/full |
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