Qualitative analysis of coping strategies among mexican disaster survivors

Abstract

This study describes the various coping strategies reportedly used by survivors after a disaster. Using unstructured interviews, 27 Mexicans (16 women, 11 men) were asked to recount how they coped with a specific disaster and its aftermath. Interviews were carried out in three cities: Guadalajara, Jalisco (n=10), Homestead, Florida (n=6) and Puerto Angel, Oaxaca (n=11). Guadalajara experienced a neighbourhood sewer explosion, whereas Homestead and Puerto Angel experienced Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Paulina, respectively. Analysis of common themes revealed seeking support, seeking meaning, problem solving, and avoidance as primary coping strategies in all three cities. Seeking support was the most commonly cited coping strategy. Seeking support may be a universal coping strategy for disaster survivors, whereas other coping strategies varied by context-specific factors such as type of disaster, resource availability, and stage of disaster recovery. Implications for future coping research and interventions are discussed.

Keywords:

• Disaster
• Coping
• Qualitative analysis
• Mexican

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Grant No. RO1 MH51278 from the Prevention and Epidemiology Branch of the National Institute of Mental Health, Fran H. Norris, Principal Investigator. Appreciation is extended to Martha Rees, Manuel Esparza, Art Murphy, and Julia Perilla for their assistance in conducting the interviews; and to Dolores Coronel Ortis, Salome Perez, and Leonor Angarita for transcribing and translating the interviews.

Notes

Author is now an ORISE Research Fellow at the Centers for Disease Control.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gladys E. Ibañez †

Author is now an ORISE Research Fellow at the Centers for Disease Control.