Impact of the 2021 flood disaster on human social and mental health, focusing on older adults in the Ahr valley in Germany: An empirical study of vulnerability and resilience

This thesis examines how flooding affects the social and mental health of older adults, using the Pressure and Release (PAR) Model as its analytical framework. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, understanding the long-term impacts of disasters on aging populations has become increasingly important. Older adults are often disproportionately affected due to physical limitations, disrupted care systems, social isolation, and reduced access to resources during recovery processes.
The thesis begins with a scoping review that synthesizes existing international research on the impacts of floods on older adults. The review identifies major knowledge gaps in current disaster studies, particularly regarding mental and social health dimensions, long-term recovery experiences, and the limited availability of context-specific empirical research in Europe.
Building on this foundation, the thesis investigates the experiences of adults aged 65 and older during and after the 2021 Ahr Valley flood in Germany. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines fieldwork, questionnaires, interviews, group discussions, and spatial analysis, the study provides empirical evidence on the social and mental health consequences of the disaster.
The final component explores the factors shaping vulnerability and resilience among older adults throughout the recovery process. Guided by an adapted PAR model, the thesis analyses the pressures experienced by older adults and identifies mechanisms that can help reduce vulnerability and facilitate recovery trajectories.
The findings contribute to a better understanding of how disasters affect older adults beyond immediate physical impacts. The thesis highlights the importance of social support, access to information, community networks, and targeted recovery policies in strengthening resilience among aging populations. These insights can support policymakers and practitioners in developing more inclusive disaster risk reduction and recovery strategies.