When prepping for disaster, don't forget to pack your teddy bear
Imagine it's the dead of night. Your phone pings with a text—it's a government emergency alert: "Leave your home immediately! Only take with you enough supplies for the next three days." What would you want in your go-bag?
A recent survey of UK adults revealed that many individuals are not as prepared for disasters as recommended by government initiatives. While the standard advice includes packing enough food, water, medicine, documents, cash, a radio, and emergency contacts, research shows that sentimental items like childhood teddy bears are highly valued.
The study, part of the After the End project, surveyed 1,000 UK adults and found that only 4 out of 1,000 participants felt fully prepared for a sudden crisis. Participants expressed a strong desire to keep sentimental items, including jewelry, family photographs, and childhood mementos, such as teddy bears, close during a crisis.
This is due to the psychological concept of extended self theory, which suggests that our possessions help construct and stabilize our sense of identity. Having familiar items can provide comfort and stability during stressful situations, contributing to psychological well-being and resilience. Additionally, these items can help rebuild a sense of normalcy and foster a sense of self-efficacy, enabling individuals to better cope with the challenges of a disaster.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
