| Exposure to a sudden and senseless loss after a devastating disaster presents psychological challenges to its victims. This study aimed to examine the psychological impact of the 2004 Asian tsunami on Thai youth survivors and to identify risk and protective factors associated with their tsunami disaster-related experiences. Risk factors included age, gender, objective tsunami experiences, and level of tsunami exposure. Protective factors included school connectedness, family functioning, religious beliefs and practices, and availability of mental health services. A concurrent-triangulation mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) design was employed. The subjects were 400 students in grades 7-12 of four public tsunami-affected schools in Phang Nga Province, Thailand. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews during the period February 1-March 31, 2006. The quantitative results revealed that Thai youth survivors who experienced high tsunami impact have more behavior problems than those who experienced low tsunami impact. Age, gender, multiple losses, and family functioning significantly predicted the youths' behavior problems, but not for the level of tsunami exposure, school connectedness, religious beliefs and practice, and mental health services availability. Through qualitative interviews of high and low tsunami impact students (n=40), youth described losses of parents and other family members, loss of house and properties, family disruption, and school difficulties as risk factors. Family, peer, and other network supports, as well as educational opportunities, were identified as protective factors. The study's limitations and recommendations for future studies and mental health interventions are discussed.; Keywords: risk and protective factors, tsunami disaster, Thai youth, mixed methods study. |
