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Social Capital´s Role for Disaster Resilience in Hurricane Harvey

Baumann, J.A. (2018) Social Capital´s Role for Disaster Resilience in Hurricane Harvey.

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Abstract:In August 2017 Hurricane Harvey, a category four hurricane, hit Texas and caused vast devastation and 70 fatalities in total. Bonding social capital has been discussed as a factor with influence on mental health and recovery. Association between bonding social capital and the status of mental health, intake of psychotropic drugs, increase in alcohol consumption and recovery rates, from disruption experienced, is investigated. The data of the Post-Harvey Survey of the Episcopal Health Foundation and the Kaiser Family Foundation has been used to investigate those factors. The dataset contains the answers of 1635 participants living in areas highly affected by the Hurricane. No evidence could be found that a variance in social capital could be an explanation for the variance in fatality rates. Instead, share of persons aged 65 and older correlates strongly with the fatality rates. A strong correlation has been found between bonding social capital and mental health. Intake of new psychotropic drugs after Hurricane Harvey as well correlates strongly with bonding social capital. Bonding social capital also correlates strongly with the recovery rate three months after the hurricane. The results suggest that bonding social capital plays a key role in the resilience and recovery of disaster-affected individuals.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:70 social sciences in general, 77 psychology
Programme:Management Society and Technology BSc (56654)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/76638
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