AbstractObjective: The objective of the study was to identify the social consequences of Tsunami among Tsunami-affected people of Kollam district, Kerala following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Methods: The study used descriptive survey design with purposive sampling method to collect data on social consequences among 246 Tsunami-affected people by using self administered questionnaire. Results: The percentages of affected people having social consequences varied from mild to severe levels. Social consequences significantly differed with variables like housing structure before Tsunami (p=0.018), present housing structure (p=0.002), social participation after Tsunami (p=0.044), impact encountered (p=0.001), satisfaction with mental health support received after the Tsunami (p=0.001), loss of loved ones (p=0.011) and initiation of substance abuse (p=0.002). Conclusion: This study provides an initial look into the social consequences of Tsunami affected people in the rehabilitation phase. The study findings indicate that social consequences persists in the affected people long after the disaster. It was also found that the social consequences significantly differ in people according to the impact they encountered, social participation after Tsunami, loss of loved ones, area of relocation, satisfaction with mental health support received after Tsunami and initiation of substance use.
Keywords: Tsunami, Social Consequences, Tsunami affected people, Disaster