مطالب

Background: Bangkok's urban landscape features approximately 6,000 high-rise towers housing millions of residents in what was historically considered a seismically stable region. However, the March 28, 2025 magnitude-7.7 Myanmar earthquake triggered widespread psychological distress among Bangkok's vertical communities despite causing minimal structural damage. While existing disaster psychology research demonstrates that individual appraisal processes and coping resources influence distress outcomes, high-density vertical urban environments remain largely unexplored in disaster literature, particularly within Asian megacities where socioeconomic inequities may compound vulnerabilities. Aims: This study aimed to quantify earthquake-related emotional distress changes, evaluate the effectiveness of different coping strategies, examine socioeconomic and disability-related moderators, and test Transactional Model of Stress and Coping pathways among Bangkok's high-rise population. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted two weeks post-earthquake using multistage stratified probability sampling. From 120 randomly selected buildings across Bangkok's districts, 5,200 households received survey invitations, yielding 2,104 completed responses (40.5% response rate). Participants were adults residing at least six months in buildings exceeding eight floors. Validated Thai-adapted instruments included the Kessler-6 for psychological distress, Insomnia Severity Index, and custom scales measuring emergency preparedness, social support-seeking, and self-care behaviors. Statistical analyses employed paired t-tests, ANOVA, MANOVA, and bootstrap mediation procedures with effect size reporting. Results: Clinically significant insomnia prevalence increased from 27.4% to 61.8% post-earthquake. Emergency preparedness behaviors were associated with lower anxiety levels, while social support-seeking correlated with reduced insomnia severity. Significant disparities emerged across housing tenure, income levels, and disability status, with renters demonstrating lower preparedness rates than homeowners (54.6% versus 71.9%). Mediation analyses revealed that preparedness and support-seeking behaviors collectively explained 37.7% of the association between perceived seismic threat and psychological distress outcomes. Conclusion: Perceived earthquake threat, rather than actual structural damage, emerged as the primary driver of psychological distress in Bangkok's high-rise communities. While emergency preparedness and social support provided substantial protective effects against anxiety and insomnia, these resources were inequitably distributed across socioeconomic groups. These findings highlight the critical need for inclusive disaster preparedness policies that address structural barriers affecting vulnerable populations in rapidly urbanizing megacities facing emerging seismic risks.

The performance of SMEs will keep the wheel of the country’s economy turning. Upgrading the technologies currently used in SMEs will make the manufacturing process of food and beverage (F&B) industries more efficient. These firms are still using traditional equipment and machinery in their F&B manufacturing process; however, it is required to adopt the next level of technologies for maximum productivity, which they cannot afford. Thus, the study focuses on the intention to adopt upgraded technologies in F&B SMEs in developing countries. A total of 230 F&B SME owners and top management were surveyed in Bangladesh. The collected data were analyzed using PLS-SEM with SmartPLS software. The results showed that disaster preparedness and business continuity had significant effects on the intention to adopt; similarly, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence were also significant in the intention to adopt the next level of IR technologies. The moderating role of government support and policy had mixed effects on intention. The study is significant because disaster preparedness and business continuity plans are utilized in technology adoption and intention scenarios. To investigate this intention, the study adopted two perspectives: the influence and role of disasters and hazards on SMEs through disaster preparedness and business continuity plans, and secondly, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) for measuring the intention. The study contributed to these two theories in a new context with constructs. The study will also contribute to policymakers in developing constructive policies and providing effective financial and non-financial support for F&B manufacturing SMEs.

The challenges of the past century—such as terrorism, nuclear threats, population growth,and drug trafficking—have significantly impacted global security and human rights. Amongthese, the “Environmental Crisis” stands out as one of the most pressing issues facing theinternational community and the rights of future generations. These rights are increasinglythreatened not only by terrorism and nuclear risks but also by the alarming proliferation of theCOVID-19 pandemic, which has emerged as a formidable challenge in the 21st century. It isessential to recognize that these challenges constitute a substantial part of criminal conduct atvarious national, regional, and international levels. To effectively address the myriad forms ofcrimes against the rights of future generations, the adoption of a robust and effective criminalpolicy is imperative. However, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC)has not sufficiently criminalized or addressed crimes specifically targeting future generations.Nonetheless, the Statute’s provisions concerning recognized international crimes—such aswar crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide—may offer a framework for addressingoffenses that infringe upon the rights of future generations. Thus, it is conceivable to pursueaccountability for such crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC.