Citation

Kagitcibasi C. Int. J. Mass Emerg. Disasters 1983; 1(1): 145-152.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, International Sociological Association, International Research Committee on Disasters)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Though disasters, especially earthquakes, floods, and landslides, are common in Turkey, policy-making, planning, and even research have ignored their social-psychological aspects. In this paper an attempt is made to build a hypothetical model for conceptualizing disaster-related coping behavior in traditional society. It is based on individual, familial and social behavior, and values derived from research conducted in Turkey. In this model it is proposed that belief in external control, in fitting with the objective conditions, results in resignation and in the conception of disaster as inevitable. Close-knit family and community ties provide further relief and security in the face of disaster. This primary group solidarity also provides the mechanisms necessary for coping with disaster in the context of underdevelopment where formal social welfare organizations are inadequate.