Abstract

GONZALEZ-PALTA, INGRID N. et al. Generating Subjective Theories After a Disaster: The Role of Personality. Rev. colomb. psicol. [online]. 2021, vol.30, n.2, pp.13-26.  Epub June 02, 2022. ISSN 0121-5469.  https://doi.org/10.15446/rcp.v30n2.79061.

The role of people's beliefs in their perception of disasters has been scarcely studied. This study, we analyzed how people who experienced an earthquake and a subsequent tsunami employ subjective theories (ST) to explain their traumatic experience. This study aimed to interpret the explanations developed by a group of people about the earthquake and tsunami that took place in Chile in 2015. Thirteen episodic interviews were conducted as part of a qualitative case study. The participants' theories were grouped into four categories: the impact of personality on one's reaction to hardships; the existence of a link between personality and coping styles; the limited influence of personality on one's way of coping with difficulties; and changes in personality after experiencing hardships. These findings are discussed analyzing whether the participants' explanations could foster personal growth and psychological well-being after the catastrophe.

Keywords : Chile; natural disaster; South America; subjective theories; tsunami.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )