Disaster Stress Following a Hurricane: The role of religious differences in the Fijian Islands

Abstract

This paper explores the influence of religion on disaster stress in Fijian Islanders. Interview data revealed that religious groups could be segregated in regard to the assistance afforded them and the demands made upon them by religious organisations. A questionnaire examining these dimensions, together with a stress and traumatic stress measure, was used to compare the impact of Hurricane Nigel (1997) on Christian Fijians, Indians who follow Islam, and Indians who practice Hinduism. The results revealed that religious denomination exercised a differential impact on vulnerability, although differences were partially dependent on the measure of vulnerability used. Explanations for these differences, and their implications for intervention, are discussed.