Imagine a world grappling with unseen threats, where the lines between safety and vulnerability blur with each passing day. "Multidisciplinary Perspectives About Disasters: COVID-19 and Other Challenges for Disaster Risk Reduction - The Latin American Experience" unveils a critical exploration of our preparedness, resilience, and collective response to disasters in the modern era, with a specific focus on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic across Latin America. This compelling collection brings together diverse voices from psychology, sociology, geography, urban planning, and public policy to dissect the multifaceted challenges of disaster risk reduction (DRR). Delve into the psychological impact of COVID-19 on frontline workers and vulnerable communities, and examine innovative approaches to promoting mental health and community resilience in the face of adversity. Discover the power of community-based strategies, such as collective mapping and participatory urban planning, that empower local populations to take control of their safety and build more resilient environments. Explore the ethical considerations for psychologists working in disaster zones and the importance of multidisciplinary training in DRR. Gain insights into the role of public policy in ensuring food security and addressing socio-environmental vulnerabilities. Uncover the tragic story of the "Trampoline of Death" bridge in Brazil and its implications for suicide prevention. This book is an essential resource for researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between disasters, society, and the human spirit. It serves as a call to action, urging us to foster international collaboration, embrace multidisciplinary perspectives, and build a more resilient future for all, especially in light of the increasing threats posed by climate change and other global challenges. Explore the crucial intersection of disaster risk reduction, mental health, and social justice, and learn how we can work together to create safer, more equitable, and more sustainable communities in the face of unprecedented challenges. This collection also examines the role of risk perception and safe behaviors during epidemics, offering strategies for promoting responsible actions and mitigating the spread of disease. Discover how military firefighters cope with the emotional burden of their profession and how restorative justice can support emergency response teams. Ultimately, this book champions a holistic approach to DRR that integrates social, environmental, and psychological considerations, paving the way for more effective and compassionate disaster management strategies in Latin America and beyond.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Section 1 – The COVID-19 Pandemic as the “Invisible Evil” of the 21st Century
- Chapter 1. Risk Perception and Safe Behaviors at the Time of COVID-19 in Cuba
- Chapter 2. Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Firefighters in Imbabura- Ecuador
- Chapter 3. Professional Experience as a Health Psychologist in Quarantine Conditions in Affected Community by COVID-19
- Chapter 4. COVID-19: Mental Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers and Volunteers
- Chapter 5. Resistance and Resilience Versus the Pandemic - A Borderline Situation
- Chapter 6. Disaster Risk Reduction Measures: Building Comics with Children in the School Setting After the COVID-19 Pandemic Scenario
- Section 2 - The Task is Not Easy: The Role of Psychology for a Culture of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
- Chapter 7. Assistance to Rescue Workers in Emergency Care: Psychology Service Action of the Emergency Mobile Care Service
- Chapter 8. The Care of Emergency Response Teams in the Context of Restorative Justice
- Chapter 9. Contributions of Community Social Psychology to Emergency and Disaster Situations in a Community Context
- Chapter 10. The (De)contextualization of the Role of Psychologists in Mining Disasters
- Chapter 11. “The Lives of Others and Riches to Be Saved”: Coping Strategies Applied by Military Firefighters
- Chapter 12. Multidisciplinary Training in Psychology as a Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction
- Section 3 - Multidisciplinary Measures in the Field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
- Chapter 13. Society-Nature Relationship and Studies of Socio-Environmental Risks and Vulnerability in Geography
- Chapter 14. Collective Mapping as a Methodology for Participatory, Disaster-Responsive Urban Planning: Lessons from Chile
- Chapter 15. Multi-Dimensional Resilient Design: Coupling Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Action
- Chapter 16. Public Policy on Food and Nutritional Security in Brazil and its Interface with Disaster Risk Reduction
- Chapter 17. The Trampoline of Death: The Use of the Newton Navarro Bridge as a Suicide Promotion Apparatus in the Municipality of Natal, Brazil
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This book, "Multidisciplinary Perspectives About Disasters: COVID-19 and Other Challenges for Disaster Risk Reduction - The Latin American Experience," aims to foster Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) research and international collaboration in Latin America. It highlights the multidisciplinary nature of DRR, showcasing research from various fields to address the complex challenges posed by disasters, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The psychological impact of disasters (particularly COVID-19).
- The role of psychology in promoting a culture of DRR.
- Multidisciplinary approaches to DRR.
- The socio-environmental factors contributing to disaster vulnerability.
- Community-based strategies for DRR.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1. Risk Perception and Safe Behaviors at the Time of COVID-19 in Cuba: This chapter examines the conceptual aspects of risk perception and its influence on safe behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba. It analyzes various thought patterns associated with low risk perception, encouraging readers to develop counter-arguments to raise this perception. The authors discuss strategies for promoting safe behaviors during epidemics and disasters, concluding that secure behaviors are rooted in high risk perception and responsible actions.
Chapter 2. Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Firefighters in Imbabura- Ecuador: This research investigates the emotional and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on firefighters in Imbabura Province, Ecuador. Using the Psychological Screening at Critical Events (SPEC) test, the study reveals high rates of depression, anxiety, and hostility among both male and female firefighters, highlighting the significant mental health risks faced by this population during the pandemic.
Chapter 3. Professional Experience as a Health Psychologist in Quarantine Conditions in Affected Community by COVID-19: This qualitative study details the experiences of a health psychologist working in a quarantined community in Cuba during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the psychologist's roles in supporting the healthcare team, intervening with vulnerable populations, and creating participatory programs to facilitate community analysis and reflection on the crisis. The study emphasizes the need for flexible approaches to psychological intervention in novel disaster scenarios.
Chapter 4. COVID-19: Mental Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers and Volunteers: This essay reflects on the material and immaterial aspects affecting the mental health and well-being of frontline workers and volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. It addresses the significant emotional and physiological burdens faced by caregivers, highlighting the need for public policies and psychosocial strategies to ensure their physical and psycho-emotional protection. The essay also examines the challenges of the Brazilian public health system in providing adequate support during the crisis.
Chapter 5. Resistance and Resilience Versus the Pandemic - A Borderline Situation: This article explores the concepts of resistance and resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing on the perspectives of Karl Jaspers and Viktor Frankl. It examines the pandemic as a "limit situation," emphasizing that resistance and resilience not only represent the capacity to overcome adversity but also involve the transformation and growth of individuals in crisis. The author explores the psychological impact of social isolation and widespread death, urging for a more positive view of human capacity to confront such situations.
Chapter 6. Disaster Risk Reduction Measures: Building Comics with Children in the School Setting After the COVID-19 Pandemic Scenario: This chapter analyzes the effectiveness of using comic book creation as a tool for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) education with children in schools. It argues for a collaborative approach, creating comics *with* children, not just *for* them, and offers guidelines for this participatory methodology, particularly in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter highlights the importance of empirical research and a more tolerant scientific approach in the field of DRR.
Chapter 7. Assistance to Rescue Workers in Emergency Care: Psychology Service Action of the Emergency Mobile Care Service: This chapter reports on the experiences of a psychology service within a Brazilian Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU). The authors highlight the significant psychological risks faced by SAMU personnel, including exposure to traumatic events, long working hours, and the constant pressure of life-or-death decisions. The chapter details the service's activities in providing psychotherapy, training, and coping strategies to mitigate these risks and support both rescue workers and their families.
Chapter 8. The Care of Emergency Response Teams in the Context of Restorative Justice: This article discusses the emotional suffering experienced by emergency response personnel and explores the use of Restorative Justice conflict resolution circles as a support mechanism. The authors describe a qualitative and quantitative action research study using structured interviews to identify conflicts within a group of emergency response professionals in São Paulo, Brazil. The restorative justice intervention proved effective in resolving immediate conflicts but also highlighted the need for organizational changes to improve mental healthcare for these workers.
Chapter 9. Contributions of Community Social Psychology to Emergency and Disaster Situations in a Community Context: This chapter explores the contributions of community social psychology (CSP) to emergency and disaster response. It presents CSP practices, such as integrative community therapy and action research, as effective instruments for mitigating disaster effects and facilitating the recovery of individuals and communities in urban settings. The authors argue for the importance of understanding community history and needs in developing effective and efficient interventions.
Chapter 10. The (De)contextualization of the Role of Psychologists in Mining Disasters: This study critically reflects on the role of psychologists in mining disasters, specifically focusing on the ethical considerations of working within the mining industry. It analyzes the Samarco and Vale mining disasters in Brazil, highlighting the industry's power dynamics and their impact on human rights and the environment. The authors emphasize the importance of psychologists acting as agents of social transformation and not complicit in the industry’s actions.
Chapter 11. “The Lives of Others and Riches to Be Saved”: Coping Strategies Applied by Military Firefighters: This article presents the findings of a qualitative study investigating coping strategies used by military firefighters in southern Brazil to deal with the inherent threats of their profession. Using focus groups and psychodramatic techniques, the study found firefighters often compartmentalize their work experiences, using both formal (briefing and debriefing) and informal (avoiding discussions of work-related stress outside of work) strategies for managing their emotional burden.
Chapter 12. Multidisciplinary Training in Psychology as a Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction: This chapter discusses the need for multidisciplinary training in psychology for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). It describes a qualitative systemic research project in Brazil that developed a methodological proposal for such training. The study highlights the complexity of empirical reality, the need for a more tolerant scientific attitude, and the importance of avoiding the pathologization of human phenomena. The proposed methodology is adaptable for understanding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chapter 13. Society-Nature Relationship and Studies of Socio-Environmental Risks and Vulnerability in Geography: This article discusses the evolution of geographic studies on socio-environmental risks and vulnerabilities. It emphasizes the importance of using the society-nature relationship as a method for better systematizing these studies and clarifying the concepts of risk, hazard, and vulnerability. The authors highlight the importance of understanding these concepts to develop effective methodologies for measuring socio-environmental vulnerability and the need for ongoing debate in this area.
Chapter 14. Collective Mapping as a Methodology for Participatory, Disaster-Responsive Urban Planning: Lessons from Chile: This contribution highlights the usefulness of collective mapping (CM) as a participatory methodology for studying disaster risk and informing disaster-responsive urban planning, particularly in Chile. By integrating technical information with local knowledge, CM can mitigate risks for vulnerable communities, legitimize local claims, and encourage community-driven regeneration of the built environment. The authors emphasize CM's role in fostering more inclusive spatial decision-making and building urban resilience.
Chapter 15. Multi-Dimensional Resilient Design: Coupling Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Action: This chapter explores the integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in urban planning and design, particularly in Chile. It identifies challenges such as weak policy coordination and limited knowledge transfer, while highlighting existing practices that successfully integrate DRR and CCA through multi-disciplinary collaboration. The authors propose a multi-dimensional resilient design approach that integrates various scales and actors for more effective and sustainable interventions.
Chapter 16. Public Policy on Food and Nutritional Security in Brazil and its Interface with Disaster Risk Reduction: This chapter analyzes Brazil's public policy on food and nutritional security and its connection to disaster risk reduction, particularly focusing on drought in the Northeast region. It examines the first two National Food and Nutritional Security Plans (2012-2015 and 2016-2019), highlighting their actions related to food production, water access, sanitation, and disaster relief. The authors conclude that these plans have a structural orientation towards disaster prevention and reduction, aiming for sustainable resource use and ecosystem balance.
Chapter 17. The Trampoline of Death: The Use of the Newton Navarro Bridge as a Suicide Promotion Apparatus in the Municipality of Natal, Brazil: This chapter examines the high incidence of suicides at the Newton Navarro Bridge in Natal, Brazil, emphasizing the lack of safety measures and the role of public authorities' negligence. Using a qualitative and quantitative approach, the study analyzes the socio-economic profile of victims, maps access to mental health services, and develops a model for situational diagnosis in a post-COVID-19 context. The authors highlight the intertwined structural, institutional, and psychosocial vulnerabilities that contribute to the high suicide rate.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Disaster Risk Reduction, COVID-19 Pandemic, Mental Health, Psychology, Community Resilience, Vulnerability, Public Policy, Latin America, Multidisciplinary, Social Psychology, Collective Mapping, Resilient Design, Food Security, Suicide Prevention.
Häufig gestellte Fragen: Multidisciplinary Perspectives About Disasters: COVID-19 and Other Challenges for Disaster Risk Reduction - The Latin American Experience
What is the main focus of the book "Multidisciplinary Perspectives About Disasters: COVID-19 and Other Challenges for Disaster Risk Reduction - The Latin American Experience"?
The book focuses on fostering Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) research and international collaboration in Latin America, highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of DRR and addressing the challenges posed by disasters, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the key themes explored in the book?
The key themes include the psychological impact of disasters (particularly COVID-19), the role of psychology in promoting a culture of DRR, multidisciplinary approaches to DRR, the socio-environmental factors contributing to disaster vulnerability, and community-based strategies for DRR.
What does Chapter 1 discuss?
Chapter 1, "Risk Perception and Safe Behaviors at the Time of COVID-19 in Cuba," examines the conceptual aspects of risk perception and its influence on safe behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba. It analyzes thought patterns associated with low risk perception and discusses strategies for promoting safe behaviors during epidemics and disasters.
What is the focus of Chapter 2?
Chapter 2, "Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Firefighters in Imbabura- Ecuador," investigates the emotional and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on firefighters in Imbabura Province, Ecuador, revealing high rates of depression, anxiety, and hostility among them.
What does Chapter 3 cover?
Chapter 3, "Professional Experience as a Health Psychologist in Quarantine Conditions in Affected Community by COVID-19," details the experiences of a health psychologist working in a quarantined community in Cuba during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting their roles in supporting the healthcare team and intervening with vulnerable populations.
What is the main topic of Chapter 4?
Chapter 4, "COVID-19: Mental Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers and Volunteers," reflects on the material and immaterial aspects affecting the mental health and well-being of frontline workers and volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, addressing the emotional and physiological burdens they face.
What does Chapter 5 explore?
Chapter 5, "Resistance and Resilience Versus the Pandemic - A Borderline Situation," explores the concepts of resistance and resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that these concepts involve transformation and growth of individuals in crisis.
What is the focus of Chapter 6?
Chapter 6, "Disaster Risk Reduction Measures: Building Comics with Children in the School Setting After the COVID-19 Pandemic Scenario," analyzes the effectiveness of using comic book creation as a tool for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) education with children in schools.
What does Chapter 7 discuss?
Chapter 7, "Assistance to Rescue Workers in Emergency Care: Psychology Service Action of the Emergency Mobile Care Service," reports on the experiences of a psychology service within a Brazilian Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU), highlighting the psychological risks faced by SAMU personnel.
What is covered in Chapter 8?
Chapter 8, "The Care of Emergency Response Teams in the Context of Restorative Justice," discusses the emotional suffering experienced by emergency response personnel and explores the use of Restorative Justice conflict resolution circles as a support mechanism.
What does Chapter 9 explore?
Chapter 9, "Contributions of Community Social Psychology to Emergency and Disaster Situations in a Community Context," explores the contributions of community social psychology (CSP) to emergency and disaster response, presenting CSP practices as effective instruments for mitigating disaster effects.
What is the main topic of Chapter 10?
Chapter 10, "The (De)contextualization of the Role of Psychologists in Mining Disasters," critically reflects on the role of psychologists in mining disasters, specifically focusing on the ethical considerations of working within the mining industry.
What does Chapter 11 discuss?
Chapter 11, “The Lives of Others and Riches to Be Saved”: Coping Strategies Applied by Military Firefighters," presents the findings of a qualitative study investigating coping strategies used by military firefighters in southern Brazil.
What is the focus of Chapter 12?
Chapter 12, "Multidisciplinary Training in Psychology as a Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction," discusses the need for multidisciplinary training in psychology for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
What does Chapter 13 cover?
Chapter 13, "Society-Nature Relationship and Studies of Socio-Environmental Risks and Vulnerability in Geography," discusses the evolution of geographic studies on socio-environmental risks and vulnerabilities.
What does Chapter 14 highlight?
Chapter 14, "Collective Mapping as a Methodology for Participatory, Disaster-Responsive Urban Planning: Lessons from Chile," highlights the usefulness of collective mapping (CM) as a participatory methodology for studying disaster risk.
What does Chapter 15 explore?
Chapter 15, "Multi-Dimensional Resilient Design: Coupling Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Action," explores the integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in urban planning and design, particularly in Chile.
What is the focus of Chapter 16?
Chapter 16, "Public Policy on Food and Nutritional Security in Brazil and its Interface with Disaster Risk Reduction," analyzes Brazil's public policy on food and nutritional security and its connection to disaster risk reduction.
What is discussed in Chapter 17?
Chapter 17, "The Trampoline of Death: The Use of the Newton Navarro Bridge as a Suicide Promotion Apparatus in the Municipality of Natal, Brazil," examines the high incidence of suicides at the Newton Navarro Bridge in Natal, Brazil, emphasizing the lack of safety measures.
What are the keywords associated with this book?
The keywords are Disaster Risk Reduction, COVID-19 Pandemic, Mental Health, Psychology, Community Resilience, Vulnerability, Public Policy, Latin America, Multidisciplinary, Social Psychology, Collective Mapping, Resilient Design, Food Security, Suicide Prevention.
- Citation du texte
- Pitagoras Binde (Auteur), Katie Moraes de Almondes (Auteur), Ricardo Jose Matos de Carvalho (Auteur), Lutiane Queiroz de Almeida (Auteur), Sergio Murillo Santos de Araujo (Auteur), 2020, Multidisciplinary Perspectives about Disasters, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/979893
