This evidence-rich collection takes on the broad diversity of traumatic stress, in both its causes and outcomes, as well as the wide variety of resources available for recovery. Its accessible coverage shows varied presentations of post-traumatic stress affected by individual, family, and group contexts, including age, previous trauma exposure, and presence or lack of social resources, as well as long-term psychological, physical, and social consequences. Contributors focus on a range of traumatic experiences, from environmental disasters (wildfires, Hurricane Katrina) to the Holocaust, from ambiguous loss to war captivity. And the book's final section, "Healing after Trauma," spotlights resilience, forgiveness, religion, and spirituality, using concepts from positive psychology. Included among the topics: The Great East Japan earthquake: tsunami and nuclear disaster. Posttraumatic stress in the aftermath of mass shootings. Psychosocial consequences: appraisal, adaptation, and bereavement after trauma. Loss, chaos, survival and despair: the storm after the storms. Aging with trauma across the lifetime and experiencing trauma in old age. On bereavement and grief: a therapeutic approach to healing. Psychologists, social workers, researchers studying trauma and resilience, and mental health professionals across disciplines will welcome Traumatic Stress and Long-Term Recovery as a profound source of insight into stress and loss, coping and healing.

Some of our most disturbing images of Hurricane Katrina involve the very old, trapped in flooded nursing homes, and the very young, sick in toxic trailers. Using the Katrina-Rita nexus as its reference point, Lifespan Perspectives on Natural Disasters takes the developmental long view on human strengths and vulnerabilities during large-scale devastation and crisis. An expert panel of behavioral scientists and first responders analyzes the psychological impact of natural disasters on-and coping faculties associated with-children, adolescents, and young, middle-aged, older, young-old and late-life oldest-old adults. This timely information is invaluable both to mental health service providers and to those tasked with developing age-appropriate disaster preparedness, intervention, and recovery programs. In addition, the book references other deadly storms as well as other major catastrophic events (e.g., the September 11 attacks, the Indian Ocean Tsunami), and includes such topics as:

• Young children's understanding of hurricanes.
• Positive adjustment in youth after Katrina.
• How families make meaning out of disaster.
• Disaster recovery in the workplace.
• Recovery services for the frail elderly.
• Coping and health in late life.
• Preparation and training mental health personnel for disasters.

Unique in the disaster literature, Lifespan Perspectives on Natural Disasters serves as a research reference and idea book for professionals and graduate-level students in psychology, social work, and disaster preparedness and services.

This contributed volume examines the intersection of trauma and disaster behavioral health from a lifespan perspective, filling a critical gap in the literature on disaster mental health research. In the chapters, the contributors evaluate behavioral data of adults exposed to various environmental events in both the United States (i.e., the 2017 Hurricanes Irma in Florida and Harvey in Houston) and abroad (i.e., missile fire in the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict). Contributors also suggest future directions, practices, and policies for trauma and disaster response. The three parts of the book provide an overview of disaster behavioral health across the lifespan, propose practical applications of research theories to psychosocial problems resulting from disasters and trauma, and evaluate disaster and trauma interventions from a macro-level perspective. Topics explored among the chapters include: Integrating Trauma-Informed Principles into Disaster Behavioral Health Targeting Older Adults Cultural Competence and Disaster Mental Health When Disasters Strike: Navigating the Challenges of "Sudden Science" Frameworks of Recovery: Health Caught at the Intersection of Housing, Education, and Employment Opportunities After Hurricane Katrina Substance Use Issues and Behavioral Health After a Disaster Psychosocial Recovery After Natural Disaster: International Advocacy, Policy, and Recommendations The Intersection of Trauma and Disaster Behavioral Health is a vital resource for researchers whose expertise covers the domains of trauma, health and wellness, and natural and technological disasters. The book also is a useful supplement to graduate courses in psychology, sociology, social work, disaster science, human ecology, and public health.

This evidence-rich collection takes on the broad diversity of traumatic stress, in both its causes and outcomes, as well as the wide variety of resources available for recovery. Its accessible coverage shows varied presentations of post-traumatic stress affected by individual, family, and group contexts, including age, previous trauma exposure, and presence or lack of social resources, as well as long-term psychological, physical, and social consequences. Contributors focus on a range of traumatic experiences, from environmental disasters (wildfires, Hurricane Katrina) to the Holocaust, from ambiguous loss to war captivity. And the book's final section, "Healing after Trauma," spotlights resilience, forgiveness, religion, and spirituality, using concepts from positive psychology. Included among the topics: The Great East Japan earthquake: tsunami and nuclear disaster. Posttraumatic stress in the aftermath of mass shootings. Psychosocial consequences: appraisal, adaptation, and bereavement after trauma. Loss, chaos, survival and despair: the storm after the storms. Aging with trauma across the lifetime and experiencing trauma in old age. On bereavement and grief: a therapeutic approach to healing. Psychologists, social workers, researchers studying trauma and resilience, and mental health professionals across disciplines will welcome Traumatic Stress and Long-Term Recovery as a profound source of insight into stress and loss, coping and healing.

In this work, the author addresses a perennial question: how does someone recover from a catastrophic disaster or other personal tragedy? The answer, she suggests, may come from coastal residents who survived the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These survivors endured a long and painful journey after losing homes and communities in these deadly storms, and their experiences provide an authentic and relatable example for other people who must overcome a life changing tragedy. The Other Side of Suffering is based on behavioral research conducted by the author in the years after the hurricanes. In her research, Katie Cherry logged thousands of miles crisscrossing the Louisiana coastline and spoke with over 190 current and former coastal residents with catastrophic losses after Katrina. The author begins with an overview of the human impact of these disasters, and then focuses on the community impact on two coastal parishes in southern Louisiana. The incorporation of the personal journal entries of a Katrina survivor provides an intimate glimpse into the long days and months that over a million displaced Gulf Coast residences experienced. From this research, the author identifies six evidence-based principles of healing: faith and humor, respect and gratitude, and acceptance and silver linings. Colorful illustrations and direct quotes from the respondents bring these principles to life. Along with a path to healing, the book also discusses grief and the new normal after a disaster, as well as obstacles that may thwart the healing process. Ultimately, the work emphasizes the importance of recovering daily routines and observances as life goes on after disaster.

Some of our most disturbing images of Hurricane Katrina involve the very old, trapped in flooded nursing homes, and the very young, sick in toxic trailers. Using the Katrina-Rita nexus as its reference point, Lifespan Perspectives on Natural Disasters takes the developmental long view on human strengths and vulnerabilities during large-scale devastation and crisis. An expert panel of behavioral scientists and first responders analyzes the psychological impact of natural disasters on-and coping faculties associated with-children, adolescents, and young, middle-aged, older, young-old and late-life oldest-old adults. This timely information is invaluable both to mental health service providers and to those tasked with developing age-appropriate disaster preparedness, intervention, and recovery programs. In addition, the book references other deadly storms as well as other major catastrophic events (e.g., the September 11 attacks, the Indian Ocean Tsunami), and includes such topics as: Young children's understanding of hurricanes. Positive adjustment in youth after Katrina. How families make meaning out of disaster. Disaster recovery in the workplace. Recovery services for the frail elderly. Coping and health in late life. Preparation and training mental health personnel for disasters. Unique in the disaster literature, Lifespan Perspectives on Natural Disasters serves as a research reference and idea book for professionals and graduate-level students in psychology, social work, and disaster preparedness and services.