How can the children who had suffered from the earthquake disaster survive their childhood and adolescence?

—Analysis of the social survey data about “the 25 years after the Great Hanshin-Awaji (Kobe) Earthquake Disaster”—

Abstract

The study analyzed data from a random social survey conducted by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Kobe Broadcasting Station. The survey was implemented in November 2019, 25 years after the Great Hanshin-Awaji (Kobe) Earthquake that occurred on January 17, 1995. The respondents of the survey were residents influenced by the earthquake disaster during the elementary or junior high school days. The purpose of the study is to examine the influence of the earthquake disaster on their psychological status and growth in the 25 years. The study investigates the relationships between demographics, relocation, career choice, self-disclosure of the experience of disaster, psychological change, intention to tell the next generation about their experience. The main results indicated that most residents reframed their experience of earthquake disaster as a positive experience. And, 60% of residents thought the meaning of their experience was losing and indicated the importance of telling the next generation about their experience.