Modeling the Impact of Climate Disasters on Trauma: The Role of Digital Literacy in Disaster-Prone Regions

Abstract

Climate-induced hydrometeorological disasters represent a systemic threat to public mental health, yet the role of digital environments in moderating these outcomes remains under-researched. This study examines the psychosocial impact of extreme weather events and evaluates digital literacy as a protective factor against trauma. Utilizing a quantitative ecological design, the research analyzes a provincial-level Big Data synthesis ( ) from Indonesia, integrating datasets from the National Disaster Management Authority (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana, BNPB), the 2023 National Basic Health Research (Riset Kesehatan Dasar, Riskesdas), and the National Digital Literacy Index. Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) was employed to determine the predictive relationship between disaster frequency and the prevalence of emotional-mental disorders. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between disaster frequency and trauma prevalence ( ). Crucially, the results indicate that high digital literacy significantly buffers the impact of disaster-related distress ( ), whereas high internet penetration without adequate literacy exacerbates anxiety through infodemic exposure. These results imply that disaster mitigation must evolve beyond physical infrastructure to include digital cognitive empowerment. The study concludes that integrating digital literacy into national mental health policies is essential for climate resilience, suggesting that future research leverage real-time AI sentiment analysis to refine community-based psychosocial interventions.