Under the Threat of Mount Saint Helens: A Study of Chronic Family Stress

This report presents results of a study of individual and family stress due to the eruptions of Mt. St. Helens, and subsequent reactions to those eruptions. Samples were selected from three Washington State sites. Both telephone surveys and in-depth family interviews were conducted, with the family interviews involving husband, wife and one teenager from each family. Following the family interviews, all three members participated in a computerized simulation experiment involving a worsening Mt. St. Helens scenario. Data indicate considerable stress, both by reports by objective experiences and by a new technique called a Stress Graph. Despite numerous problems, very few families evacuated at the time of the eruptions and almost none of the interview families seriously considered moving away from the volcano's threat. However, effects show consistent relationships to distance from the volcano. Seven policy recommendations are included. (Author)