Emotions and coping strategies during an episode of volcanic activity and their relations to place attachment

Most studies on natural disasters have focused on physical and psychological health consequences or risk perception, paying little attention to variables associated with bonds to place. In order to study these types of variable, 265 people from different towns on the island of El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain) were interviewed individually during the volcanic process that took place on the island between September and December 2011. This interview set out to assess the emotions they experienced, the coping strategies they used and the changes in place attachment, place identity and perceived restorativeness. Levels of fear, anger, loss and active confrontation were higher in the town nearest the volcanic process than in other towns on the island. A greater impact on the perceived restorativeness of place and place attachment also occurred in this town. Multiple regression analysis revealed that changes in place attachment are related to feelings of loss.