An ecological-needs-based perspective of adolescent and youth emotional development in the context of disaster: Lessons from Hurricane Katrina

Abstract

This chapter reviews studies on the impact of natural disasters on childhood and adolescent emotional development with an emphasis on studies conducted with Hurricane Katrina samples. Special consideration is given to the role of exposure to disasters on adolescent emotional development. The findings are reviewed and presented within an integrative perspective (i.e., an ecological needs-based perspective) drawn from broad contextual theories of human development. The perspective emphasizes multiple levels of influence on emotional development through the interference of multiple human needs. © 2009 Springer-Verlag New York.