Screening the Timing for Intensive Psychological Support to Disaster Victims: Based on the Case of Ferry Sewol

Abstract

This study attempted to protect disaster victims with screening methods for intensive psychological support. Because social interest that causes secondary trauma to disaster victims can be expressed as an act of finding and confirming an issue by paying attention in the community, the data from NAVER Data.Lab search trend were used in this study. We compiled the data with the volume of more than 10.0, using the keyword ‘Ferry Sewol’ (Korean), from 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and August 2021. We also investigated news related to the ferry disaster on the dates. For six years after the accident, the search volume on the anniversary of the accident was large. Not only that, but the volume the day before and the day after was increased. This study found that the period for intensive psychological support begins on the date that a crisis occurs, spans the period before and after the date, lasting through the period when activities and announcements by state agencies related to the crisis are made.