Adolescent Resilience After Disasters

The Study on Adolescent Resilience after Disasters was launched in 2015, to investigate the specific risks and protective factors that contribute to positive outcomes among young people living in disaster-affected settings.

In partnership with Kunming Medical University, the Centre for Victims of Torture Nepal, Harvard University, and Curtin University, we assessed mental health, education and security outcomes for more than 4,000 adolescents in China and Nepal.

The study employed a mixed methods approach to assessing mental health and resilience. Qualitative interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with adolescents, parents and caregivers, teachers, disaster response personnel, mental health providers, and community leaders. The qualitative data informed a large-scale quantitative survey of mental health and resilience among adolescents in disaster-affected areas.

Adolescents reported high levels of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety symptoms following disaster exposure. Ongoing hardship in the post-disaster setting played a significant role in mental health outcomes, in both countries. Adolescents demonstrated significant resilience, and were active participants in disaster risk reduction efforts - contributing to recovery by preparing their household, assisting with rescue efforts, distributing health messages, and supporting their community.

This project was supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Latest Publications:

Newnham, E.A., Gao, X., Guragain, B., Jiao, F., Nathan, L., Boyes, M., & Leaning, J. (In press). Daily stressors and mental health following disaster: A school-based assessment of adolescent disaster survivors in China and Nepal. Journal of Traumatic Stress.

Tearne, J., Guragain, B., Ghimire, L., Leaning, J., Newnham, E.A. (2021) The health and security of women and girls following disaster. A qualitative investigation in post-earthquake Nepal. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 66, 102622.

Newnham, E.A., Gao, X., Tearne, J., Guragain, B., Jiao, F., Ghimire, L., Chan, E.Y.Y., Leaning, J. (2020). Adolescents’ perspectives on the psychological effects of natural disasters in China and Nepal. Transcultural Psychiatry, 57(1), 197-211.

Newnham, E.A., Tearne, J., Gao, X., Guragain, B., Jiao, F., Ghimire, L., Balsari, S., Chan, E.Y.Y., Leaning, J. (2019). Tailoring disaster risk reduction for adolescents: Qualitative perspectives from China and Nepal. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 34, 337-345.