Drury students study disaster’s effect in Joplin – Springfield News

The physical damages are obvious, but a group of seven Drury University undergraduates and one psychology professor are trying to understand the emotional and mental wounds the May 22 tornado has inflicted upon Joplin.

Jennifer Silva Brown, an assistant professor of psychology at Drury, developed the Joplin Impact Project based on work she did in Louisiana after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast.

In September and October, Brown and her students interviewed and surveyed 87 Joplin-area residents about how they were coping with their lives after the tornado.

The purpose of the Joplin Impact Project is to gather data from survivors to see if they are suffering from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or other stress-related maladies.

"We're trying to distinguish those who are struggling from those who are resilient and healthy," said Brown.

"We also look at how survivors coped with the tornado, by asking if they turned to such things as exercise, prayer, interaction with friends or family, and use of drugs and/or alcohol.

"The ultimate goal is to understand which characteristics promote a healthy adjustment to post-disaster life."

Her students have coded their data, and Brown will begin digging into the numbers and draw conclusions from the statistics this spring.

"What we've learned from the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has helped Joplin residents, and the research we're doing in Joplin will in turn help the survivors of the next major disaster. We're constantly learning," says Brown.

For the seven undergraduates who conducted the research, it was a rare opportunity to gain field experience.

"This project is a wonderful opportunity to help the Joplin community. In return, the Joplin community is enhancing my education, by giving a rare opportunity to go out in the field, interview survivors and then see the results," student Paige Nichols said.

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