International Journal of Mental Health Nursing

Original Article

Living through a volcanic eruption: Understanding the experience of survivors as a phenomenological existential phenomenon

Corresponding Author

Sri Warsini

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Correspondence: Sri Warsini, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns Queensland 4870, Australia. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Jane Mills,

Jane Mills

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

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Caryn West,

Caryn West

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

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Kim Usher,

Kim Usher

School of Health, Armidale, University of New England, New South Wales, Australia

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Sri Warsini,

Corresponding Author

Sri Warsini

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Jane Mills,

Jane Mills

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

Caryn West,

Caryn West

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

Kim Usher,

Kim Usher

School of Health, Armidale, University of New England, New South Wales, Australia

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First published: 19 February 2016

https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12212

Citations: 12

Sri Warsini (BNS, M.Med), Doctoral candidate.

Jane Mills (RN, PhD, MEd, MN, BN, FACN), A/Professor.

Caryn West (RN, Cert CR & GCP, GDip Res Methods, PhD), Lecturer and APHCRI CRE Postdoctoral Fellow.

Kim Usher (RN, RPN, A/DipNEd, BA, BHSc, MNSt, PhD, FACN, FACMHN), Professor of Nursing.

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Abstract

Mount Merapi in Indonesia is the most active volcano in the world with its 4–6-year eruption cycle. The mountain and surrounding areas are populated by hundreds of thousands of people who live near the volcano despite the danger posed to their wellbeing. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of people who survived the most recent eruption of Mount Merapi, which took place in 2010. Investigators conducted interviews with 20 participants to generate textual data that were coded and themed. Three themes linked to the phenomenological existential experience (temporality and relationality) of living through a volcanic eruption emerged from the data. These themes were: connectivity, disconnection and reconnection. Results indicate that the close relationship individuals have with Mount Merapi and others in their neighbourhood outweighs the risk of living in the shadow of an active volcano. This is the first study to analyze the phenomenological existential elements of living through a volcanic eruption.

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Volume25, Issue3

June 2016

Pages 206-213

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Living through a volcanic eruption: Understanding the experience of survivors as a phenomenological existential phenomenon

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