Abstract
Background
Natural disasters in Australia are predicted to increase in both frequency and intensity. Bushfires can have significant long-term impact on the people’s wellbeing, with long-lasting effects for children. The Royal Far West developed and implemented a Bushfire Recovery Program (BRP) for preschools and primary schools in 34 communities across regional New South Wales impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires.
Aim
To determine whether characteristics of a school, including its location, had an impact on resilience for the children at that school.
Methods
To test which characteristics influence resilience, a binomial generalised linear model (GLM) was developed. Resilience was measured using the Resilience Scale for Children (RS10), a 10-item strength-based tool. Independent variables in the model were a composite disaster index (cumulative impact of bushfire, flood, drought and Covid-19), a disadvantage index (Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD)), remoteness and school size, along with children’s age and gender. The model was built using resilience data available from eight participating schools.
Results
Nearly all schools that participated in the BRP were in places that have experienced multiple natural disasters, and that are moderately to severely disadvantaged compared to the rest of New South Wales. In the schools included in the model, factors that promoted children’s resilience included being older, being part of a smaller school community and having less exposure to natural disasters.
Conclusion
Younger children and those in the lowest developmental stage of resilience are likely to require more targeted support following a disaster. While there was no indication that children in small, remote communities were less resilient, it is important to carry out research in these communities to understand their unique needs and inform recovery strategies. This study contributes to this goal by providing a mechanism to understand the spatial context of children’s resilience in regional fire-affected communities.
Natural disasters in Australia are predicted to increase in both frequency and intensity. Bushfires can have significant long-term impact on the people’s wellbeing, with long-lasting effects for children. The Royal Far West developed and implemented a Bushfire Recovery Program (BRP) for preschools and primary schools in 34 communities across regional New South Wales impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires.
Aim
To determine whether characteristics of a school, including its location, had an impact on resilience for the children at that school.
Methods
To test which characteristics influence resilience, a binomial generalised linear model (GLM) was developed. Resilience was measured using the Resilience Scale for Children (RS10), a 10-item strength-based tool. Independent variables in the model were a composite disaster index (cumulative impact of bushfire, flood, drought and Covid-19), a disadvantage index (Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD)), remoteness and school size, along with children’s age and gender. The model was built using resilience data available from eight participating schools.
Results
Nearly all schools that participated in the BRP were in places that have experienced multiple natural disasters, and that are moderately to severely disadvantaged compared to the rest of New South Wales. In the schools included in the model, factors that promoted children’s resilience included being older, being part of a smaller school community and having less exposure to natural disasters.
Conclusion
Younger children and those in the lowest developmental stage of resilience are likely to require more targeted support following a disaster. While there was no indication that children in small, remote communities were less resilient, it is important to carry out research in these communities to understand their unique needs and inform recovery strategies. This study contributes to this goal by providing a mechanism to understand the spatial context of children’s resilience in regional fire-affected communities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 04 Sept 2024 |
| Event | Australian Disaster Resilience Conference 2024: Maintaining momentum: driving systematic change to create a more resilient future - Sydney Convention Centre, Sydney, Australia Duration: 04 Sept 2024 → 05 Sept 2024 https://www.afacconference.com.au/ |
Conference
| Conference | Australian Disaster Resilience Conference 2024 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Sydney |
| Period | 04/09/24 → 05/09/24 |
| Internet address |
