American Samoa Recently Hit by an Earthquake and Tsunami

On Tuesday, American Samoa, as well as Samoa and Tonga, were hit by an earthquake and a tsunami, resulting in the death of at least 111 people. A tsunami such as this one would definitely qualify as a traumatic event that would have the potential to lead to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We have learned much about the psychological effect of a tsunami from the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka. In a study of the long-term psychological effects of this event, it was found that approximately 21% of people developed PTSD, 16% had severe depression,30% had severe anxiety, and 22% experienced physical symptoms without an apparent medical explanation. In addition to these psychological difficulties, many people also had difficulties in their work, social life, and family life. However, it was also found that many people came together to help others and provide social support.

Although it is too early to tell what kind of psychological effect the recent tsunami in American Samoa will have, it appears as though people are already beginning to pull together to provide support and assist in the recovery process. Social support is incredibly important in the aftermath of a traumatic event, as it has been found to be a major factor in helping people overcome the negative effects of a traumatic event.