Conceptualization and theoretical construction of psychological disaster

The increasing prevalence of mental health issues among the public poses a threat comparable to, and potentially more pervasive and far-reaching than, that of physical disasters. Conceptually and academically, defining psychological problems as individual "disasters" offers a novel multidisciplinary perspective on mental health research and revitalizes the field. The introduction of the"psychological disaster"concept encourages attention to common psychological distress and trauma experienced in daily life, as evidenced by its relevance, breadth, concreteness, and practicality. This study explores a theoretical framework for a psychological disaster life cycle, characterizing it as a non-linear, dynamic, and malleable process. Five key points–onset, development, mitigation/exacerbation, stabilization, and potential recurrence–demarcate five stages: incubation, prodromal, acute, remission/deterioration, and final adaptation. This framework provides guidance for future research on preventative measures during the incubation period, assessment and mitigation during the prodromal phase, intervention and treatment during the acute phase, rehabilitation management during the recovery phase, and follow-up during the adaptation phase. This model paves the way for analyzing the mechanisms and predicting the evolution of psychological disasters.