Reviewing the critical role of coping strategies in enhancing mental health and resilience in disaster survivors

Abstract In this literature review, the critical role of coping strategies in enhancing mental health and resilience among disaster survivors is examined. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, tsunamis and floods, have been known to inflict significant psychological distress on affected populations. Similarly, man-made disasters, such as terrorist attacks, civil wars and industrial accidents, can lead to lasting mental health challenges for survivors. The focus of this paper is primarily on coping strategies and their impact on mental health and resilience among those affected by disasters. A comprehensive search was conducted using academic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar, to gather peer-reviewed articles published in recent times. Search terms such as ‘coping strategies,’ ‘mental health,’ ‘resilience,’ ‘disaster survivors,’ ‘natural disasters’ and ‘man-made disasters’ were utilized to refine the search results. A total of 210 articles were initially identified, and 30 articles were retained for further review based on their methodological rigor, relevance to the topic and diversity of coping strategies examined. This study found that problem-focused, emotion-focused, social support and avoidance coping are crucial for understanding how to mitigate psychological distress and promote recovery after disasters. Additionally, it identified several other coping strategies, including mindfulness-based practices, cognitive-behavioral therapy, cultural coping and proactive coping. The novel contribution of this review lies in its emphasis on the intersection of coping strategies with diverse disaster experiences, offering implications for tailored public health interventions. This study is not only timely but also relevant given the increasing frequency of both natural and man-made disasters, and the growing recognition of the need for effective mental health strategies in disaster response and recovery.