Disaster Trauma and Community Resilience: A Community Psychology Study After Floods

Abstract

Disasters profoundly disrupt not only physical infrastructures but also the psychosocial well-being of affected communities. This study examines disaster-induced trauma and community resilience in the aftermath of the 2024 floods in Purnia, Bihar, through a community psychology perspective. Employing a mixed-method cross-sectional design, data were collected from 44 participants using standardized psychometric instruments, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Brief COPE Inventory, supplemented by semi-structured interviews. Quantitative findings revealed moderate-to-high trauma prevalence, with an IES-R mean score of 40.52, while resilience indicators remained moderate (CD-RISC mean = 59.45). Sleep disturbances, anxiety, and livelihood disruptions were reported as key correlates of trauma, whereas coping strategies emphasized problem-solving, community participation, and faith-based practices. Although both government and NGO aid were available, satisfaction with relief response was below average, and access to counseling was limited. Thematic analysis of qualitative data underscored the centrality of collective solidarity, religious practices, and neighborly support in sustaining resilience. The findings demonstrate the coexistence of vulnerability and strength, revealing that resilience is a socially embedded process shaped by both individual coping mechanisms and community structures. Policy recommendations highlight the need to integrate mental health into disaster management, ensure equitable relief distribution, strengthen livelihood security, and foster community-based resilience frameworks.