Session: Disaster Risk Reduction across the Lifecourse: Social Work Insights and Interventions (Society for Social Work and Research 30th Annual Conference Anniversary)

In a departure from what was considered "traditional" social work until recently, the field increasingly focuses on individual and systemic dimensions of global environmental change and their intersections with populations social workers typically engage with. The increased frequency, magnitude, and intensity of extreme weather events, as well as the slower, more gradual disasters and hazards due to human causes, often lie at the interface of individual and system-level disadvantage, behooving social workers to understand the vulnerabilities and strengths among various populations across the life course. This symposium presents five scholarly forays into understanding vulnerabilities and strengths across population groups, providing insights into disaster risk reduction and climate resilience across the life course.

Paper 1 explores disaster preparedness at the housing and community levels, particularly among populations with low income. The authors also examine the moderating role of age in disaster preparedness among this population. The study highlights the intersection of age with structural factors such as housing, identifying risk factors while also pointing out population-specific strengths that can diminish this risk. Paper 2 examines slum-like areas in South Korea that often experience multiple structural disadvantages and are vulnerable to extreme heat events. Using the pressure and relief (PAR) framework, the study analyzes conditions that render these neighborhoods more susceptible to extreme weather and explores cooling strategies as a means of mitigating the risks associated with extreme heat. Paper 3 adopts an intergenerational approach to identify assets and challenges related to social connectedness and how they can be concurrently assets and challenges for adaptive capacity to extreme weather in rural Appalachia. Using a photo mapping approach, the authors emphasize the need for proactive measures to promote social connectedness, thereby enhancing adaptive capacity through public investment and local interventions. Paper 4 focuses on foster children who already navigate complex individual and social challenges and disruptions, raising the issue of disaster preparedness for this vulnerable group. This qualitative photovoice study examines foster children's experiences, perspectives, and vulnerabilities in everyday life, highlighting their unique vulnerability, which can exacerbate persistent trauma during disasters. Results highlight multiple avenues of support and resources needed for this population. Paper 5 is a mixed-method case study examining extreme weather preparedness and response among older adults in subsidized housing. The study draws on multiple theoretical frameworks, including Aging in the Right Place, cumulative disadvantage, and the Theory of Planned Behavior, to identify barriers, challenges, and strategies for preparedness and response among this population.

Finally, the discussant will examine the common and differentiated themes across the symposium papers. Participants utilize a range of methods, theoretical frameworks, and informing factors that can aid disaster risk reduction across various ages and population groups and intersections thereof. This can identify common touchpoints and targeted strategies for population groups. The implications of papers included in this symposium, both individually and collectively, offer multiple avenues for social work interventions that can be beneficial to practitioners and those looking to advance disaster risk reduction strategies.