The Lived Experience: Individuals, Couples, and Families Who Endured A Natural Disaster

In this study researchers explore the experiences of couples and families during and after a natural disaster to identify themes that affect how and in what capacity natural disasters have on the system and how members of those systems manage stress collectively during that period. Using frameworks from Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological systems theory, Attachment theory researchers utilized Hermeneutic-Phenomenological design with Thematic Analysis to capture the lived experiences of the participants. Five themes including (1) Family Convergence, (2) Dual Worlds, (3) Support for Families, (4) Grief and Loss, and (5) Paradigm Shift were assessed.