Inclusive Approaches to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Risk, Resilience, and Recovery After Natural Global Catastrophes

The field of trauma and disaster psychology has increasingly emphasized post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as one of the most critical and enduring mental health outcomes of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. These events profoundly disrupt lives and communities, often resulting in both immediate and long-term emotional distress that spans generations. As natural disasters become more frequent and severe due to climate change, there is growing recognition that trauma are not confined to any specific age group — children, adolescents, adults, and older individuals are all affected in unique yet interconnected ways. While humanitarian efforts often prioritize physical safety and reconstruction, mental health recovery remains under-addressed, calling for a more holistic approach to post-disaster care and research.Recent evidence underscores the complexity of PTSD development and recovery trajectories across lifespan stages. Biological vulnerability, cumulative trauma exposure, levels of social and familial support, and access to culturally sensitive services all shape how individuals respond to disaster-related stress. Advances in neuroscience and psychophysiology have illuminated how stress responses are embedded in the body, while emerging community-based and digital interventions are helping identify scalable models of care. However, significant gaps persist: few studies integrate the diverse experiences of different age groups, and cross-cultural variations in PTSD prevention and treatment remain underexplored. Bridging these gaps requires integrating psychological, biological, and social dimensions within a unified, inclusive framework.This Research Topic aims to promote a comprehensive understanding of PTSD risk, resilience processes, and intervention outcomes following natural disasters across populations of all ages. It seeks to unite perspectives from psychology, psychiatry, medicine, social work, education, and disaster management to generate global insights and guide holistic strategies for mental health preparedness, response, and recovery. This collection welcomes articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Lifespan perspectives on PTSD development, prevention, and recovery after natural disasters.o Neurobiological, psychosocial, and environmental determinants of trauma responses.o Family and community resilience factors supporting mental health post-disaster.o Evaluation and adaptation of psychological and psychosocial interventions for diverse populations.o The role of technology and telehealth in broadening access to post-disaster mental health care.o Integration of trauma-informed practices into disaster preparedness and policy frameworks. Topic editors: Yuka Kotozaki Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81146/inclusive-approaches-to-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-risk-resilience-and-recovery-after-natural-global-catastrophes