2017 年 64 巻 2 号 p. 78-84
Objectives To offer an empirical lens—based on the account of a yogo teacher employed at a temporary school in the community where she was relocated after experiencing the Great East Japan Earthquake alongside her students—into the subjective experience of health support activities carried out during the year immediately following the disaster.
Method An interview was conducted with one yogo teacher who experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake, employed at a public junior high school in the region to where she was evacuated. Analysis involved a narrative approach whereby the yogo teacher's story was rewritten as a story in chronological order.
Results The immediate course of events following the disaster was divided into three periods and examined. Period 1: The yogo teacher first experienced the earthquake and was forced to evacuate alongside her students, during which time she felt strong [sense of loss] and [sense of despair]. Period 2: At the reopening of the school in temporary classrooms, she believed her top priority was doing what she could as a yogo teacher and contributing to reopening the school, while working with other teaching staff to make the most of their surroundings. The school's reopening brought a significant sense of security and joy to students. This led her to [finding hope], and she recovered her positive attitude. Subsequently, problems manifested such as bullying and violence. She believed that [being there for the children] was the most important thing she could do as a yogo teacher and continued to provide [emotional care]. Period 3: At the time of completion of a temporary school building, she was [confused and explored] the delay of the children's recovery from emotional problems. She coordinated with a university professor of psychology to conduct classes to alleviate students’ tension and stress using strategies such as relaxation techniques. She realized the importance of initiatives that involve [a keen sense of connection and joy].
Conclusion The yogo teacher interviewed for this study, despite being affected by the disaster herself, was always thinking about what she could do to address the various health problems that troubled her students, flexibly promoting health support activities in cooperation with school faculty and mental health professionals. Through these health support activities, she realized that these activities should be accomplished not solely by the yogo teacher, but by bringing together various teachers and professionals in- and outside of the school.
