Dispositional Optimism and Disaster Resilience: A natural experiment from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Personality functioning, positive outlook for the future, and simple and complex post-traumatic stress disorder

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its complex form (C-PTSD) are psychopathological conditions that are related to several personality traits. In particular, the current study aims to investigate the associations of impairment of personality functioning (IPF) and positive outlook for the future (POF) with PTSD and C-PTSD. A sample of 304 Brazilian adults responded to an online survey. IPF was measured according to the alternative model for personality disorders, POF was operationalized using optimism and hope scales, and PTSD and C-PTSD were measured using the ICD-11 model. Data analysis included correlation, structural equation models, multivariate analysis of variance, and multinomial logistic regression. The results showed that IPF and POF were moderately correlated with PTSD and C-PTSD in positive and negative directions, respectively. IPF and POF were more strongly associated with C-PTSD than PTSD. From the categorical approach to psychopathology, IPF and POF were shown to be associated only with C-PTSD. This is the first study that provides empirical data on the association of IPF and POF with both forms of PTSD. Understanding the associations between pathological and resilient personality domains and PTSD and C-PTSD symptoms can support the development of effective interventions.

Hope and PTSD

This paper reviews the present literature examining how hope relates to PTSD and broader functioning after a trauma, including potential underlying mechanisms and significant factors impacting these relationships and the role of hope as a mechanism of change within interventions for PTSD. First, the ways in which trauma impacts hope are discussed. Afterwards, an overview is provided of cross-sectional and prospective research indicating that greater hope reduces the risk of PTSD and promotes positive outcomes of adversity. Next, potential underlying mechanisms and determinants of the relationship between hope and adjustment are explored, including adaptive appraisals, productive coping, and social support. Finally, evidence supporting the role of hope as a mechanism of change in treatments for PTSD is reviewed.

Coping with Coronavirus Pandemic: Risk Perception Predicts Life Optimism

Given that the coronavirus pandemic has become a severe concern worldwide, how can optimism be maintained during an outbreak of a collective pandemic? We propose that perceived control and negative affect could be potential explanatory factors for optimism in the face of a pandemic. In Study 1 (N = 599), through a large-scale cross-sectional design, we showed the indirect effect of risk perception on optimism through perceived control and negative affect with structural equation modeling. In Study 2 (N = 191), we manipulated perceived risk of the pandemic and determined that experiencing a high-risk pandemic psychologically led to decreased optimism. Finally, through Study 3 (N = 186) and Study 4 (N = 217), we revealed that the effect of risk perception on optimism can be extended to overall subjective well-being and confirmed the indirect effects via perceived control and negative affect. These findings indicate that risk perception can make a difference in one's life optimism during a high-risk pandemic. Moreover, perceived control and negative affect are notable intermediary variables. Measures that strengthen publicity and transparency regarding recovery rates should be taken to help reduce public perceptions of risk and promote an optimistic life attitude.

Lessons learned from psychosocial support and mental health surveys during the 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake: Establishing evidence-based disaster psychiatry

Post-disaster mental health and psychosocial support have drawn attention in Japan after the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, with mental health care centers for the affected communities being organized. After the catastrophe, a reconstruction budget was allocated to organize mental health care centers to provide psychosocial support for communities affected by the 2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake, the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. There were several major improvements in post-disaster mental health measures after the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Team system was organized after the earthquake to orchestrate disaster response related to the psychiatric health system and mental health of the affected communities. Special mental health care efforts were drawn to the communities affected by the nuclear power plant accident through Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield Explosives, being succeeded by measures against the coronavirus pandemic. As another new movement after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the number of surveys involving communities affected by disasters has soared. More than 10 times the number of scientific publications were made in English during the decade following the Great East Japan Earthquake, compared with the previous decades. In this review, we examined the results and issues acquired in the 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, proposing evidence-based disaster psychiatry as the direction of future mental health measures related to emergency preparedness and response.