Post-Disaster Social Connectedness in Parent–Child Dyads: A Qualitative Investigation of Changes in Coping and Social Capital of Rural Australian Families Following Bushfires
Article
Article Title | Post-Disaster Social Connectedness in Parent–Child Dyads: A Qualitative Investigation of Changes in Coping and Social Capital of Rural Australian Families Following Bushfires |
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ERA Journal ID | 34193 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Stribley, Lisa, Krishnamoorthy, Govind, Dallinger, Vicki, Ma, Jennifer, Nielson, Thomas, Bryce, India, Rees, Bronwyn, Morse, Alyssa, Rogers, Marg and Burton, Lorelle |
Journal Title | The British Journal of Social Work |
Journal Citation | 55 (1), pp. 5-24 |
Article Number | bcae123 |
Number of Pages | 20 |
Year | 2025 |
Publisher | Oxford University Press |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0045-3102 |
1468-263X | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcae123 |
Web Address (URL) | https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance-article/doi/10.1093/bjsw/bcae123/7725014 |
Abstract | The increasing frequency of natural disasters, such as bushfires, pose significant challenges for countries like Australia. This research investigates the changes in social connectedness following a bushfire disaster in 2019 in the rural community of Cudlee Creek, South Australia, Australia. Research has repeatedly highlighted the importance of social connectedness, social capital and secure attachment relationships in mitigating post-disaster mental health concerns. This study utilised semi-structured interviews with eight parent–child dyads twenty months post-disaster to understand changes in parent–child relationships, the quality of extended family ties and the role of the broader community in recovery and coping. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed three themes: (i) differences in children and parents in preferred forms of social support; (ii) a thinning of previously available support and (iii) altered patterns of communication in the parent–child relationships. The findings highlight the complex interactions of multi-systemic and intersectional disadvantages on social isolation and loss of social capital following disasters. The results also highlight the influence of stoic beliefs on patterns of miscommunication in parent–child dyads in rural contexts. Implications for the implementation of community-wide post-disaster supports, sociometric approaches to mental health screening and assessment, and targeted interventions for rural families. |
Keywords | disaster recovery; social capital; wildfire; social connectedness; attachment; bushfire |
Article Publishing Charge (APC) Funding | School/Centre |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420313. Mental health services |
520101. Child and adolescent development | |
Byline Affiliations | School of Psychology and Wellbeing |
Manna Institute, Australia | |
Centre for Health Research | |
Australian National University | |
University of Canberra | |
Young Minds Psychology, Australia | |
University of New England |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z8q5v/post-disaster-social-connectedness-in-parent-child-dyads-a-qualitative-investigation-of-changes-in-coping-and-social-capital-of-rural-australian-families-following-bushfires
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