Cumulative incidence of suicidal ideation and associated factors among adults living in temporary housing during the three years after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Suicidal ideation in adolescents with adiponectin receptor 2 rs12342 polymorphism affected by Wenchuan earthquake

PURPOSE

The present study was to investigate prevalence of suicidal ideation and its associations with biological and environmental factors in adolescents with different genotypes of rs12342 at adiponectin receptor 2 gene (ADIPOR2).

METHODS

Suicidal ideation, biological and environmental factors were evaluated by questionnaires in 669 high school students after Wenchuan earthquake in China. ADIPOR2 rs12342 was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and verified by DNA sequencing.

RESULTS

Female adolescents had higher prevalence of suicidal ideation than male students in AG heterozygote and GG homozygote, but not AA homozygote. Prevalence of suicidal ideation was different in male, but not female, subjects with different genotypes. Genotype and allele frequencies were significantly different between male students with and without suicidal ideation, but not the female counterparts. Family history of mental disorders, extent of damage to property, carbohydrate intake and protein intake were associated with suicidal ideation in female subjects, while ADIPOR2 rs12342, father's educational level and previous trauma experience were associated with suicidal ideation in male subjects.

CONCLUSION

ADIPOR2 rs12342 is associated with and has potential to interact with environmental factors on suicidal ideation in a gender-dependent manner in youth. These findings pave a novel way and perspective for precision inferences of suicidal ideation in subjects with different genetic backgrounds. ADIPOR2 rs12342 needs to be considered when intervening suicidal ideation, especially in adolescents.

Psychiatric Morbidity and Suicidal Ideation Among Early Survivors Following the 2023 Kahramanmaras Earthquake in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of psychiatric morbidity along with sociodemographic and earthquake-related data on suicidal ideation among survivors of the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake in Turkey.

METHOD

The study included 270 volunteers who experienced the 2023 earthquake in Kahramanmaras, a province in middle east region of Turkey. These individuals were informed of the use of their personal data within the scope of the personal data protection law numbered 6698 and consent was obtained. The volunteers participated in the study online and were evaluated with a sociodemographic data form, Suicidal Ideation Scale and DSM-5 level one cross-sectional symptom scale.

RESULTS

Single individuals (p = .009) and those who stated that they had insufficient social support (p = .001), had been injured or had lost a relative during the earthquake (p = .02), felt discrimination-exclusion after the earthquake (p = .03), and those who could not attend the funeral or funeral ceremony of their deceased relative (p < .001) scored higher on the Suicidal Ideation Scale. The DSM-5 level one cross-sectional symptom scale scores indicated that the scores in the depression (p = .024), somatization (p = .001), personality (p < .001) and addiction (0.039) subscales were more related to suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSION

After a mass trauma, it is very important to investigate the risk factors that may be associated with suicidal ideation among survivors and to be aware of possible psychiatric symptoms. Preventive actions in the earthquake-affected regions can be made more effective by considering these factors.

Fatalism, Emotional Regulation, and Suicide Risk in Colombian Adults During the SAR-Cov-2 Disease Epidemic

The current pandemic of Severe Acute Syndrome (SAR-CoV-2) is a public health problem with implications for mental health. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of suicide risk and its association with fatalism and emotional regulation during SARS-CoV-2 in Colombia's adult population. A cross-sectional study was designed, an online format was used, which evaluated sociodemographic variables, CES-D-SI, the Fatalism Questionnaire against COVID-19, and the Emotional Regulation Scale. 435 Colombian adults participated, aged between 18 and 79 years. A prevalence of suicide risk was found in 5.3%, and it was associated with the interaction between living in rural area and less education (OR = 5.60, 95%CI 1.28-24.53), emotional dysregulation (OR = 3.54, 95%CI 1.77-7.09), and fatalistic beliefs (OR = 3.09, 95%CI 1.53-6.27). 5.3% of the population presented an elevated suicide risk. It was associated with less education, rural areas, fatalistic beliefs, and emotional dysregulation in the Colombian population during mandatory confinement due to SAR-CoV-2.

The Suicidal Ideation of Disaster Victims: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

Various natural and human made disasters occur worldwide. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting suicidal ideation in victims of disasters such as typhoons, heavy rainfall, fires, and earthquakes.

Methods

Data were obtained from a long-term survey on life changes among disaster victims conducted in 2019 by the National Disaster Management Research Institute. The study included 2234 victims of natural and social disasters occurring in Korea between 2012 and 2018. Suicidal ideation was assessed using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview developed by the World Health Organization. The participants' demographic characteristics, disaster-related characteristics, physical characteristics, psychological characteristics, and social characteristics were analyzed as the influencing factors. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test, t-test, and logistic regression.

Results

Of the 2234 subjects in this study, 32 were disaster victims who had experienced suicidal ideation, accounting for 1.4%. The results showed that the factors affecting suicidal ideation included disaster-related injury/disease, depression, and social support. The odds ratio of suicidal ideation was higher when there was injury/disease (OR=1.89, 95% CI=0.07-0.48), with higher depression levels (OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.18-1.47) and with lower social support (OR=0.94, 95% CI=0.90-0.99).

Conclusion

This study identifies the significant influencing factors of suicidal ideation in disaster victims, which were as follows: disaster-related injury or disease, depression, and social support. Our study's findings would contribute to screening high-risk groups of suicidal ideation and developing effective support, interventions, and suicide prevention programs for disaster victims. Furthermore, to prevent suicide and promote the healthy recovery of disaster victims, mental health care services aimed at suicide prevention should be reinforced and the victims should be provided with psychological support and treatment without financial burden.

Suicide and Suicide Prevention Activities Following the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), numerous studies have been conducted, but no comprehensive review study has been carried out. Thus, this literature review aimed to examine how the GEJE might affect suicide and suicidal behaviors from a long-term perspective.

METHODS

For the literature review, a search of electronic databases was carried out to find articles written in English and in Japanese that were related to suicide and its risk factors, as well as suicide prevention activities following the GEJE. Thirty-two articles were then selected for the review.

RESULTS

There were several findings, as follows: (1) gender differences in suicide rates in the affected area: nationwide, the suicide rates in men showed a delayed increase, whereas suicide rates in women increased temporarily immediately after the GEJE; (2) the suicide rates increased again in the recovery phase; (3) the background of the suicides was linked to both disaster-related experiences, and indirect reasons pertaining to the GEJE; and (4) intensive intervention combined with a high-risk and community-focused approach could prevent suicides following the disaster.

CONCLUSIONS

Although further accumulation of knowledge about suicide and suicide prevention is essential, these findings can contribute to response, recovery, and preparedness in relation to future disasters.

Suicide Death Rate after Disasters: A Meta-Analysis Study

BACKGROUND

Disasters have undesirable effects on health among individuals such as psychosocial disorders which may lead lead to suicide in some cases. Thus, the present study aimed to measure the rate of suicide death after disasters all over the world.

METHODS

In the present meta-analysis study, all of the articles published in English until the end of 2019 were probed in electronic databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, and Google Scholar. Then, the data were imported to STATA ver.13 software and analyzed through fixed- and random-effects models, meta-regression, and Cochrane statistical tests.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies including a sample size of 65495867 were considered. Suicide death rates before and after the disasters were calculated as 13.61 (CI95%: 11.59-15.77) vs. 16.68 (CI95%: 14.5-19:0) among the whole population, 28.36 (CI 95%:11.29-45.43) vs. 32.17 (CI95%: 17.71-46.62) among men, and 12.71 (CI95%: 5.98-19.44) vs 12.69 (CI95%: 5.17-20.21) among women. The rate of suicide death significantly increased in the whole population and men, while no significant difference was reported among women.

CONCLUSION

Suicide death rate increases after disasters indicating the destructive impact of this phenomenon on peoples' health. Therefore, implementing supportive and interventional measures is highly suggested after disasters in order to prevent suicide death among the affected people.

The Impact of Natural Disasters on Suicide in the United States, 2003–2015

Abstract. Background: Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity and impacted populations develop mental health conditions at higher rates than those not impacted. Aims: In this study, we investigate the association between exposure to a major natural disaster and suicide in the US. Method: Using county-level data on disaster declarations, mortality files, and population data, suicide rates were estimated for three 12-month periods before and after the disaster. Pooled rates were estimated predisaster and compared with postdisaster suicide rates using Poisson-generated Z tests and 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 281 major disasters were included. The suicide rate increased for each type of disaster and across all disasters in the first 2 years of follow-up. The largest overall increases in suicide rates were seen 2 years postdisaster. Limitations: Limitations include the ecologic study design, county-level exposure, and low power. Conclusion: Increases in county-level suicide rates after disasters were not statistically significant, although there was evidence that increases were delayed until 2 years postdisaster. Additional studies are needed to improve understanding of nonfatal suicide attempts after disasters and the role elevated social support plays in suicide prevention postdisaster. Future studies should consider pre-existing mental health, secondary stressors, and proximity to hazards.

Onset and remission of common mental disorders among adults living in temporary housing for three years after the triple disaster in Northeast Japan: comparisons with the general population

Background

People living in temporary housing for long periods after a disaster are at risk of poor mental health. This study investigated the post-disaster incidence and remission of common mental disorders among adults living in temporary housing for the 3 years following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Methods

Three years after the disaster, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 1089 adult residents living in temporary housing in the disaster area, i.e., the shelter group, and a random sample of 852 community residents from non-disaster areas of East Japan. The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to diagnose DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders. Information on demographic variables and disaster experiences was also collected.

Results

Response rates were 49 and 46% for the shelter group and the community residents, respectively. The incidence of mood/anxiety disorder in the shelter group was elevated only in the first year post-disaster compared to that of the general population. The rate of remission for mood and anxiety disorders was significantly lower in the shelter group than in the community residents. The proportion seeking medical treatment was higher in the shelter group.

Conclusions

The onset of common mental disorders increased in the first year, but then levelled off in the following years among residents in temporary housing after the disaster. Remission from incident post-disaster mental disorders was slower in the shelter group than in the general population. Post-disaster mental health service could consider the greater incidence in the first year and prolonged remission of mental disorders among survivors with a long-term stay in temporary housing after a disaster.

Mental distress in the rural Kazakhstani population exposed and non-exposed to radiation from the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site

The present study investigates the rates of depression, anxiety, somatic distress, and fatigue in a rural population of Abayskiy, Borodulikha and Mayskiy districts exposed to radiation from Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in comparison with the unexposed population of Kurchum district. The sample size included 901 people, of whom 656 were residents of radioecological contaminated areas, while 245 resided at ecologically safe territories and had no radiation exposure in the past. Both study groups had no significant differences concerning age, sex, level of education, smoking habit, and alcohol consumption. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, somatic distress and fatigue in the exposed group was found to be considerably higher than that in the unexposed. Results of logistic regression analysis showed considerable differences in associations between depression and anxiety, as wells as between depression and somatic distress in the exposed group. Besides, depression was significantly associated with general fatigue, reduced activity, physical fatigue, reduced motivation and mental fatigue in the unexposed group. There is a need to tailor public health interventions focused on the identification and management of individuals exhibiting mental distress, including the provision of adequate information about radiation-induced health effects, quality routine check-ups and psychological counseling.

The Birth Prevalence of Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate After the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami

Objective:

This study examined whether the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami affected the birth prevalence of cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P) in Miyagi Prefecture, where the earthquake and tsunami caused severe damage.

Design:

This was a retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

The study was conducted at university and children’s hospitals in Miyagi Prefecture.

Participants:

The annual and monthly numbers of infants born with CL/P were obtained from medical records. The affected period of birth was defined as 1 year from December 1, 2011, to November 30, 2012. The control period was 5 years from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2010. The annual and monthly numbers of births in Miyagi Prefecture were obtained using e-Stat, which is a portal for Japanese government statistics.

Main Outcome Measures:

Main outcome measures were birth prevalence of CL/P during the control and affected periods.

Results:

There were no significant differences between the control and affected periods in the prevalence (per 10 000 live births) of cleft lip with or without palate (13.8 vs 16.7; P = .342), isolated cleft palate (5.2 vs 3.2; P = .267), or overall CL/P (19.0 vs 19.9; P = .799).

Conclusions:

We did not observe that the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami affected the birth prevalence of CL/P in Miyagi Prefecture, even though it severely impacted human health in the area.

The relationship between the frequency of suicidal ideation and sleep disturbance factors among adolescent earthquake victims in China

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the frequency of suicidal ideation (SI) and identify exposure variables, mental health, and sleep-related risk factors of SI among adolescents following the 2013 Ya'an earthquake.

METHODS

Participants consisted of 5563 adolescent students selected through random sampling from 11 primary and high schools in the counties most severely affected by the earthquake. They were asked to complete the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale-13, Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, and Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders. Multinomial logistic analysis was used to identify possible relationships between SI and psychopathology, sleep problems, earthquake exposures or demographic characteristics. The mediation analysis was used to identify direct and indirect effects among sleep problems, psychopathology, earthquake exposures and SI.

RESULTS

Our findings suggest that 29.5% of the sample experienced SI during the past year (12.9% once, 11.9% twice, 2.6% on 3-4 occasions and 2.1% on at least 5 occasions). Multiple sleeping problems, including trouble falling asleep, shorter sleep duration, and daytime dysfunction, showed independent associations with SI. The mediation analysis suggested that depression and anxiety mainly mediated the association of sleep with SI.

LIMITATIONS

This study was cross-sectional and did not include controls. No baseline data were collected prior to the earthquake.

CONCLUSION

SI can be a serious problem among adolescents following a major earthquake, especially those who are older, who live in one-child households, or who are female. Years after a disaster, we found that exposure severity, psychopathology and sleep impairment all contributed to SI, and that earthquake exposure may have disrupted sleep and worsened mood, which in turn may have impacted SI. By enhancing teenagers' sleep management and shaping their activities, post-disaster intervention programs may help prevent SI among Chinese adolescents.