The British Journal of Psychiatry 131: 15-20 (1977)
© 1977 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Coping behaviour after shipwreck
S Henderson and T Bostock
A description is given of the coping behaviour of seven men who survived a
shipwreck and were not rescued until 13 days later. The principal
behaviours shown by the men were attachment ideation, drive to survive,
modelling, prayer and hope. Particular attention is paid to the first of
these, and consideration given to its likely origins in behavioural
evolution. It is proposed as a hitherto inadequately recognized coping
behaviour. A follow-up examination 12 to 24 months later showed that five
of the seven men available had developed substantial psychiatric disorder,
while by contrast one was not only well but claimed to have been enriched
by the experience. Exposure to extreme adversity or disaster may have
long-term effects on mental health. Further longitudinal studies of
disaster victims are necessary for the design of informed after-care.
