A survey four years after «Envisioning the Future», a post-earthquake neuropsychopedagogical intervention
Tania Di Giuseppe, Grazia Serantoni, Patrizio Paoletti, Giulia Perasso
The sequence of seismic events between 2016 and 2017 violently struck Marche and Umbria regions in Italy. Between 2017 and 2019, the Patrizio Paoletti Foundation intervened in support of individuals and communities affected by the earthquake with three editions of the neuropsychopedagogical intervention entitled «Envisioning the Future». The intervention, comprising 15 monothematic group sessions, aimed at imparting resources useful in reprogramming victims’ everyday life, educating them about the neural processes underlying brain functioning and reinforcing community values. This paper presents descriptive data deriving from a follow-up survey carried out in November 2021, which involved N =248 respondents (mean age = 50.7 years, 75% females). Four years later, the participants report improvements in their ability to multidimensionally plan the future at a workplace, spiritual and collective level, and an increase in positive thoughts and hope. The experience intends to draw the scientific community’s attention to the benefits of a multidimensional neuropsychopedagogical approach to support earthquake-affected populations.
Keywords
Earthquake, pedagogy, neuroscience, trauma, resilience, community.