포항지진 피해 노인들의 거주지 이동(Relocation) 경험 연구

A Study on the Relocation Experience of Older Adult Victims of the Pohang Earthquake

Through qualitative case analyses, this study examines the relocation stress experienced by older adult victims who have resided for an extended period of time at a relief center set up in response to the Pohang earthquake. This study found that research participants remained hopeful about “returning home” despite physical, psychological, and social stress and trauma from having experienced a disaster for the first time and living at a shelter. According to the analysis, “frequently moving from place to place,” “earthquake trauma,” “family members are also victims,” “people at the shelter with whom we must live,” “communal life: adjustment and feeling of resignation,” “walking on eggshells despite being victims,” “feeling isolated and experiencing increased discontentment toward the local community,” and “expectation and hope for returning home,” were the eight central topics, with 19 sub-topics, of this study. The findings of this study indicate the need to establish welfare shelters for those made vulnerable by disasters and offer specialized care with extended case management to prevent or minimize the stress of relocation experienced by older adults.