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Kao CY, Bradshaw T, Mazarakis T. Gender differences in the association between social support and caregiver alcohol use in posttraumatic stress disorder of east Taiwan adolescents. Tzu Chi Med J 2021; 33:188-194. [PMID: 33912418 PMCID: PMC8059466 DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_123_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study investigates traumatic experiences in a sample of high-risk Taiwanese adolescents in rural areas of Taiwan; correlation with psychosocial factors is assessed with focus on social support and caregiver alcohol use. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using stratified cluster sampling. Structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic characteristics, social support (Taiwan Relationship Inventory for Children and Adolescents), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (Chinese version of UCLA-PTSD Reaction Index) from a sample of 751 adolescents (54.6% females) with 61.2% response rate in high schools in Hualien County, Taiwan. Results: Girls with trauma experiences manifested significantly higher PTSD scores, concurrent with higher number of traumatic events (TE), while the likelihood of reporting trauma and subsequent PTSD symptoms was similar in both genders. Increased risk of reported trauma and PTSD in adolescent Taiwanese is strongly associated with caregiver alcohol use and lack of social support, particularly in girls. Conclusion: We found that girls reported higher numbers of TE which was concurrent with significantly higher PTSD scores. Early detection of alcohol use disorders among caregivers as well as assessment of quality of family interaction would benefit at risk adolescents through specifically tailored interventions to address these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Yi Kao
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Tyler Bradshaw
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Theodoris Mazarakis
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
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Lincoln AK, Lazarevic V, White MT, Ellis BH. The Impact of Acculturation Style and Acculturative Hassles on the Mental Health of Somali Adolescent Refugees. J Immigr Minor Health 2017; 18:771-778. [PMID: 26048358 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-015-0232-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Refugee adolescents often immigrate to a new society because of experiences of persecution and trauma, which can have profound effects on their mental health. Once they immigrate, many refugees experience stressors related to resettlement and acculturation in the new society. The current study examined relationships among acculturation styles and hassles and the well-being of young refugees as well as the role of gender. Data were collected from 135 young refugees (M age = 15.39, SD = 2.2; 62 % male) from Somalia resettled in the United States The findings from our study indicate that in addition to trauma history, acculturative hassles and acculturation style impact the wellbeing of Somali refugee adolescents. These findings indicate the need to understand both past experiences as well as current challenges. Potential areas for intervention are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa K Lincoln
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute on Urban Health Research and Practice, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, 521 Holmes Hall, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Sociology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Vanja Lazarevic
- Department of Psychiatry, Refugee Trauma and Resilience Center, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Matthew T White
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - B Heidi Ellis
- Department of Psychiatry, Refugee Trauma and Resilience Center, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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Tang B, Deng Q, Glik D, Dong J, Zhang L. A Meta-Analysis of Risk Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults and Children after Earthquakes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14121537. [PMID: 29292778 PMCID: PMC5750955 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14121537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PTSD is considered the most common negative psychological reactions among survivors following an earthquake. The present study sought to find out the determinants of PTSD in earthquake survivors using a systematic meta-analysis. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycInfo) were used to search for observational studies about PTSD following earthquakes. The literature search, study selection, and data extraction were conducted independently by two authors. 52 articles were included in the study. Summary estimates, subgroup analysis, and publication bias tests were performed on the data. The prevalence of PTSD after earthquakes ranged from 4.10% to 67.07% in adults and from 2.50% to 60.00% in children. For adults, the significant predictors were being female, low education level or socio-economic status, prior trauma; being trapped, experiencing fear, injury, or bereavement during the disaster. For children, the significant predictors were being older age, high education level; being trapped, experiencing fear, injury, or bereavement, witnessing injury/death during the earthquakes. Our study provides implications for the understanding of risk factors for PTSD among earthquake survivors. Post-disaster mental health recovery programs that include early identification, on-going monitoring, and sustained psychosocial support are needed for earthquake survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bihan Tang
- Department of Health Service, College of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Qiangyu Deng
- Department of Health Service, College of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Deborah Glik
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Junqiang Dong
- Department of Health Service, College of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Lulu Zhang
- Department of Health Service, College of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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Houllé WA, Silès J, Tarquinio P, Tarquinio C. Trauma et culture : influence des facteurs culturels dans la rencontre traumatique et perspectives psychothérapeutiques. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TRAUMA & DISSOCIATION 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejtd.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Jiang S, Yan Z, Jing P, Li C, Zheng T, He J. Relationships between Sleep Problems and Psychiatric Comorbidities among China's Wenchuan Earthquake Survivors Remaining in Temporary Housing Camps. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1552. [PMID: 27803679 PMCID: PMC5068134 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Earthquake survivors are a diverse population. This study focused on a special group of earthquake survivors, who had still stayed in temporary housing camps for about 2 years after China's Wenchuan Earthquake rather than those who moved back to rebuild their lives or immigrated to large cities to seek new lives. The research goals were to (1) assess their sleep problems as well as their PTSD, depression and anxiety and (2) examine the relationship between different dimensions of sleep quality and PTSD, depression, and anxiety among these survivors. Three-hundred and eighty seven earthquake survivors who remained in temporary housing camps and had sleep problems were recruited 17-27 months after Wenchuan Earthquake. Four standardized instruments-The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, Self-rating Depression Scale, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and face-to-face one-on-one structured interviews were used to assess these survivors' sleep quality, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. It was found that (1) 83.20% of these survivors reported having sleep problems, and 79.33% of them considered insomnia as the most common sleep problem; (2) 12.14% suffered PTSD, 36.43% experienced depression, and 38.24% had anxiety; (3) sleep disturbance, sleep medication use, and subjective sleep quality were significantly related to PTSD; (4) habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, sleep medication use, and daytime dysfunction were significantly related to depression; and (5) sleep disturbance, sleep medication use, and daytime dysfunction were significantly related to anxiety. Clinic implications of the study are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suo Jiang
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, School of Psychology, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijing, China
- Department of Applied Psychology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou, China
| | - Zheng Yan
- Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany/State University of New YorkAlbany, NY, USA
| | - Pan Jing
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning HospitalNingbo, China
| | - Changjin Li
- Department of Applied Psychology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou, China
| | - Tiansheng Zheng
- Department of Applied Psychology, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou, China
| | - Jincai He
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou, China
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Chen SLS, Lee CS, Yen AMF, Chen HH, Chan CC, Chiu SYH, Fann JCY, Chang JC. A 10-year follow-up study on suicidal mortality after 1999 Taiwan earthquake. J Psychiatr Res 2016; 79:42-49. [PMID: 27155808 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The long-term impact of natural disasters on suicide in general population and survivors remains uncertain. The present report examined the direction and the length of the influence of an earthquake over suicide across age groups. METHOD We used an interrupted time-series design with non-equivalent no-treatment group to evaluate post-earthquake changes in suicide rates by the standardized mortality ratio. RESULTS The time trend changes in suicide rates before and after the earthquake were similar for males and females but different between senior and junior age groups. Gender-specific relative ratios were 0.85 (95%CI: 0.81-0.90) for males and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72-0.86) for females. Age-gender-stratified relative ratios were 0.61 (95% CI: 0.53-0.70) and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.64-0.75) for males and females aged less than 45 years, respectively. Although the overall suicide mortality increased after the earthquake, the relative suicide risk ratio decreased 31-39% for those aged less than 45 years, which persisted for nearly 10 years after earthquake. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that a severe earthquake resulted in a significant decrease in standardized suicide mortality ratios in exposed areas for 10 years compared to unexposed area, particularly in a younger population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Li-Sheng Chen
- School of Oral Hygiene, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Shoun Lee
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Amy Ming-Fang Yen
- School of Oral Hygiene, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Hsi Chen
- Division of Biostatistics, Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Chuan Chan
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sherry Yueh-Hsia Chiu
- Department of Health Care Management, College of Management, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jean Ching-Yuan Fann
- Department of Health Industry Management, College of Healthcare Management, Kainan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Chen Chang
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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DeLucia JM. Art Therapy Services to Support Veterans' Transition to Civilian Life: The Studio and the Gallery. ART THERAPY 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2016.1127113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Leg extension power is a pre-disaster modifiable risk factor for post-traumatic stress disorder among survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake: a retrospective cohort study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e96131. [PMID: 24760054 PMCID: PMC3997555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological problem following natural disasters. Although pre-disaster risk factors are important for early detection and proactive support, the examination of such has been limited to sociodemographic factors, which were largely unaffected by the disasters. We examined the association between pre-disaster physical functioning and lifestyle and PTSD symptoms five months after the earthquake in the Great East Japan Earthquake survivors who were participating in a pre-existing cohort study. Methods We designed a retrospective cohort study of a cooperative association in Sendai from August 2010 to August 2011. In 2010, lifestyle, physical condition, and sociodemographic factors were examined by self-reported questionnaires completed by 522 employees of this organization. We also measured the leg extension power of all the participants. PTSD symptoms were evaluated by the Japanese version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R-J) following the earthquake of 2011. Results In multivariate linear regression analysis, leg extension power (β = –0.128, P = 0.025), daily drinking (β = 0.203, P = 0.006), and depressive symptoms (β = 0.139, P = 0.008) were associated with total score of the IES-R-J among men. Moreover, for the IES-R-J subscale, leg extension power was also negatively associated with Intrusion (β = –0.114, P = 0.045) and Hyperarousal (β = –0.163, P = 0.004) after adjusting for all other significant variables. For women, hypertension (β = 0.226, P = 0.032) and depressive symptoms (β = 0.205, P = 0.046) were associated with the total score of the IES-R-J. Conclusions Leg extension power is a potentially modifiable pre-disaster risk factor among men for attenuating the severity of PTSD symptoms associated with great disasters such as the Great East Japan Earthquake among men.
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Prevalence, risk, and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder across ethnic and racial minority groups in the United States. Med Care 2014; 51:1114-23. [PMID: 24226308 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We assess whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) varies in prevalence, diagnostic criteria endorsement, and type and frequency of potentially traumatic events (PTEs) among a nationally representative US sample of 5071 non-Latino whites, 3264 Latinos, 2178 Asians, 4249 African Americans, and 1476 Afro-Caribbeans. METHODS PTSD and other psychiatric disorders were evaluated using the World Mental Health-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI) in a national household sample that oversampled ethnic/racial minorities (n=16,238) but was weighted to produce results representative of the general population. RESULTS Asians have lower prevalence rates of probable lifetime PTSD, whereas African Americans have higher rates as compared with non-Latino whites, even after adjusting for type and number of exposures to traumatic events, and for sociodemographic, clinical, and social support factors. Afro-Caribbeans and Latinos seem to demonstrate similar risk to non-Latino whites, adjusting for these same covariates. Higher rates of probable PTSD exhibited by African Americans and lower rates for Asians, as compared with non-Latino whites, do not appear related to differential symptom endorsement, differences in risk or protective factors, or differences in types and frequencies of PTEs across groups. CONCLUSIONS There appears to be marked differences in conditional risk of probable PTSD across ethnic/racial groups. Questions remain about what explains risk of probable PTSD. Several factors that might account for these differences are discussed, as well as the clinical implications of our findings. Uncertainty of the PTSD diagnostic assessment for Latinos and Asians requires further evaluation.
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Liu X, Ma X, Hu X, Qiu C, Wang Y, Wang Q, Zhang W, Zhang J, Li T. A risk score for predicting post-traumatic stress disorder in adults in a Chinese earthquake area. J Int Med Res 2013; 40:2191-8. [PMID: 23321176 DOI: 10.1177/030006051204000617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to identify risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and develop a risk score model for predicting PTSD in adults in a Chinese earthquake area. METHODS Questionnaires covering demographic information, earthquake experience and social support were administered to subjects experiencing a major earthquake. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version questionnaire was used for PTSD diagnosis. Subjects were randomly assigned to training (70%) or validation (30%) subsets. A risk score model for predicting PTSD risk was established, based on logistic regression of PTSD risk factors that were significant on univariate analysis of the training data. RESULTS In total, 9556 subjects completed questionnaires; PTSD prevalence was 4.5%. Divorced or widowed status, various adverse earthquake events and low levels of social support were identified as risk factors for PTSD. When tested in the validation dataset, the risk score model had good discriminative power and a good fit between predicted and observed values. CONCLUSIONS The risk score shows an acceptable predictive value and may be useful for early prediction of PTSD, in Chinese earthquake areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Liu
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Department of Psychiatry, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
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Guerrero APS, Fung D, Suaalii-Sauni T, Wiguna T. Care for the seafarers: a review of mental health in Austronesia. Asia Pac Psychiatry 2013; 5:119-40. [PMID: 23857781 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Continent-based regional reviews of mental health may not fully describe the status of ethnocultural groups that are widely dispersed across multiple continents or traditional world regions. Our aim was to describe the Austronesians, an ethno-linguistic group living primarily in islands and coastal areas in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and Southeast Asia. METHODS Consulting lay databases, we created matrices to describe the demographic, political, and socioeconomic profiles of nations with majority and minority indigenous Austronesian language-speaking populations. We then accessed the scientific literature to describe examples of mental health disparities and/or challenges in mental health care delivery. RESULTS Many Austronesian-speaking people have experienced recent or current foreign occupation, lack of recognized sovereignty, poverty and low socioeconomic status, and low availability of psychiatric resources and providers. An analysis of the biological, psychological/psychocultural, and social and environmental impacts (risk or protective) on either the prevalence/presentation of mental illness, help-seeking behavior or access to mental health care, or management of mental illness suggested that there may be relatively unique stressors (e.g. loss of homeland from either global warming or nuclear contamination) affecting people in this region and certain biological profiles (e.g. susceptibility to obesity and metabolic syndrome) that may impact psychiatric treatment. DISCUSSION Solutions to mental health challenges in this world region may include culturally relevant and integrative mental healthcare delivery models; resource preserving, prevention-focused universal mental healthcare; and technology to improve connectivity and increase access to either direct services or workforce-building education and training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony P S Guerrero
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA.
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Rytwinski NK, Scur MD, Feeny NC, Youngstrom EA. The co-occurrence of major depressive disorder among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder: a meta-analysis. J Trauma Stress 2013; 26:299-309. [PMID: 23696449 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 409] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Although co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with greater distress, impairment, and health care utilization than PTSD alone, the magnitude of this problem is uncertain. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the mean prevalence of current MDD co-occurrence among individuals with PTSD and examine potential moderating variables (U.S. nationality, gender, trauma type, military service, referral type) that may influence the rate of PTSD and MDD co-occurrence. Meta-analytic findings (k = 57 studies; N = 6,670 participants) revealed that 52%, 95% confidence interval [48, 56], of individuals with current PTSD had co-occurring MDD. When outliers were removed, military samples and interpersonal traumas demonstrated higher rates of MDD among individuals with PTSD than civilian samples and natural disasters, respectively. U.S. nationality, gender, and referral type did not significantly account for differences in co-occurrence rates. This high co-occurrence rate accentuates the importance of routinely assessing MDD among individuals with PTSD and continuing research into the association between these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina K Rytwinski
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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Drogendijk AN, van der Velden PG, Kleber RJ. Acculturation and post-disaster mental health problems among affected and non-affected immigrants: a comparative study. J Affect Disord 2012; 138:485-9. [PMID: 22377513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2012.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Revised: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unknown to what extent acculturation among disaster-affected immigrants is associated with mental health problems (MHP) compared to non-affected immigrants. METHODS We examined the associations between acculturation and post-disaster MHP among affected and non-affected immigrants in The Netherlands. RESULTS Among the affected group, keeping norms and values of original culture and limited skills to cope with the demands of the new society were independently associated with PTSD-symptomatology, anxiety, depression, hostility, and somatic problems at 18 months post-event. In the non-affected comparison group no associations were found. Interestingly, levels of acculturation did not differ between both groups, in contrast to MHP. LIMITATIONS The acculturation levels could be influenced by the experience of a disaster. However, levels did not differ statistically between the study groups. Furthermore, the groups were reasonably small and the response rates were, although not uncommon in health studies among immigrants, relatively low. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this unique study clearly suggest that post-disaster mental health policies should target low levels of skills to survive in the new society. Furthermore, the acculturation domain of keeping traditional norms and values can be contrary to the Dutch care after a disaster where self-efficacy and individualistic, cognitive functioning are the central goals. Further research is warranted to explore and examine post-event interventions aimed at increasing the levels of acculturation that may facilitate recovery.
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Risk factors for PTSD after Typhoon Morakot among elderly people in Taiwanese aboriginal communities. Int Psychogeriatr 2011; 23:1686-91. [PMID: 21669022 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610211000986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a mid- and old-age population who experienced Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan. METHODS One hundred and twenty people, who were mostly Taiwanese aboriginal people aged 55 years and above, were invited to participate in this study. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS-I). Information regarding demographic characteristics, relocation, personal injury, family death, property damage, and self-perceived health was collected. RESULTS 29.2% of study participants presented significant PTSD symptomatology during the previous month. Development of PTSD symptomatology after the disaster was significantly associated with being female (OR 3.63, 95% CI = 1.11-11.88), experiencing relocation (OR 5.64, 95% CI = 1.60-19.88), and having poorer self-perceived health (OR 4.24, 95% CI = 1.53-11.78) after controlling for age, education, personal injury, family death, and property damage. Further, by adding depression into the analysis, we found the risk factors were being female (OR 4.66, 95% CI = 1.16-18.80), experiencing relocation (OR 27.91, 95% CI = 3.74-229.80), family death (OR 67.62, 95% CI = 2.85-1063.68), and poorer self-perceived health (OR 28.69, 95% CI = 4.52-182.06). CONCLUSION Nearly 30% of the elderly people studied who experienced Typhoon Morakot developed significant PTSD symptomatology. The risk factors for PTSD symptoms were female gender, poorer self-perceived health, relocation, family death, and depression. The elderly people who were relocated by governmental programs were more likely to develop PTSD symptomatology after experiencing trauma. Resettlement and rehabilitation programs after a disaster need to be more concerned with their psychological effects on victims.
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Priebe S, Marchi F, Bini L, Flego M, Costa A, Galeazzi G. Mental disorders, psychological symptoms and quality of life 8 years after an earthquake: findings from a community sample in Italy. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2011; 46:615-21. [PMID: 20442981 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-010-0227-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2009] [Accepted: 04/13/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Various studies assessed mental disorders and psychological symptoms following natural disasters, including earthquakes. Yet, samples were often non-representative, and the periods of time between earthquake and assessments were usually short. This study aims to assess the prevalence of mental disorders, level of psychological symptoms and subjective quality of life in a random sample in a rural region in Italy 8 years after an earthquake. METHODS Using a random sampling method, a pool of potential participants of working age who had experienced the earthquake were identified 8 years after the earthquake. They were sequentially approached until the target sample of 200 was reached. Mental disorders were assessed on the MINI, psychological symptoms on the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and subjective quality of life on the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA). RESULTS 200 people were interviewed, and the response rate of contacted people was 43%. In the MINI, 15 participants (7.5%) had any type of mental disorder; 5 participants had PTSD at any time since the earthquake, and 1 participant at the time of the interview. Symptom levels were low (Global Severity Index of BSI mean = 0.29, SD = 0.30; IES total mean = 0.40, SD = 3.33) and subjective quality of life (MANSA mean = 5.26, SD = 0.59) was in a positive range. The distribution of mental health outcomes made it difficult to explore factors associated with them. CONCLUSION There is no evidence that the earthquake had a negative impact on the mental health of the affected population years later. Possible reasons include the relatively weak nature of the earthquake, strong community support that helped overcome mental distress, the long period of time (8 years) between the occurrence of the earthquake and the study, and a capacity of people to maintain or restore mental health after a natural disaster in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Priebe
- Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Newham Centre for Mental Health, Queen Mary University of London, London E13 8SP, UK.
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The Relationship Between Cultural Variables and Gambling Behavior Among Chinese Residing in Australia. J Gambl Stud 2009; 25:433-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s10899-009-9148-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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