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Australia is a country susceptible to natural disasters (Leivesley, 2007). In 2009, the devastating Victorian Bushfires killed 173 people and had an estimated economic cost of $4 billion (Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, 2009). The 2010-2011 Queensland floods resulted in the deaths of 33 people (Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry & Holmes, 2012) and affected 2.5 million others. Two thirds of the state were declared a disaster zone (Whiting, 2012). The floods led to partial or complete inundation of 29,000 businesses and homes, with an estimated recovery cost of $5 billion (Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry & Holmes, 2012).
To magnify the impact of the floods, cyclone Yasi hit the already flood-affected regions of northern Queensland before the flood recovery effort could even begin (Queensland Government, 2011). Natural disasters have a major economic toll each year, causing more than $1.14 billion damage in Australia (Department of Transport and Regional Services, 2002) and placing strain on various relief funds and government resources in the rebuilding of towns and cities (Queensland Government, 2013). These major and well-publicised natural disasters, as well as local events, affect a large number of Australians annually.
The less publicised but very salient, adverse psychological impacts of trauma that can often remain long after the physical recovery effort is completed are also important to consider (Kargillis, Kako, & Gilham, 2014). The psychological impacts can be especially prevalent in children and may result in long-term mental health, behavioural and academic difficulties. Children are vulnerable to a number of mental health difficulties following traumatic events, including the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (Bokszczanin, 2007; Thienkrua et al., 2006). Children may also develop depressive reactions (La Greca, Silverman, & Wasserstein, 1998), separation anxiety, generalised anxiety, and externalising behaviour problems (De Young, Kenardy, & Cobham, 2011; Shaw, Espinel, & Shultz, 2007).
Natural disasters are not the only potentially traumatic event a child may be exposed to. Other potentially traumatic events include: domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse; neglect; exposure to community violence; involvement in, or the witnessing of, motor vehicle accidents; and injury of the self or others (Wethington et al., 2008). By the age of 16, approximately two thirds of children will have experienced at least one potentially traumatic event (Phoenix Australia -- Centre...