A case study of children’s lived experience and meaning of a natural disaster

Authors

  • Tami Maes Fragedakis, PhD
  • Carmen Vincent Russoniello, PhD
  • Sharon Knight, PhD
  • Susan McGhee, PhD
  • Richard Williams, EdD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2019.0185

Keywords:

post-traumatic stress disorder, recreational therapy, natural disaster

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to document how children described their experiences of an unanticipated natural disaster in the form of a flood which followed a hurricane, focusing on strategies that helped them cope with the event. Four participants engaged in a qualitative study, which was conducted 6 years after the disaster. A qualitative analysis of the data was conducted. The overarching theme that emerged from the analysis was coping with the experience during the following time frames: (a) during the disaster, (b) immediately after the disaster, and (c) continued long-term effects post-disaster. Findings provide insight into children’s post-disaster experiences and clinical implications for recreational therapy.

Author Biographies

Tami Maes Fragedakis, PhD

Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies, College of Health & Human Performances, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina

Carmen Vincent Russoniello, PhD

Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies, College of Health & Human Performances, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina

Sharon Knight, PhD

Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health & Human Performances, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina

Susan McGhee, PhD

Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies, College of Health & Human Performances, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina

Richard Williams, EdD

Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies, College of Health & Human Performances, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina

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Published

04/01/2019

How to Cite

Fragedakis, PhD, T. M., Russoniello, PhD, C. V., Knight, PhD, S., McGhee, PhD, S., & Williams, EdD, R. (2019). A case study of children’s lived experience and meaning of a natural disaster. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 18(2), 11–16. https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2019.0185

Issue

Section

Articles