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Wellspring I, Ganesh K, Kreklewetz K. Walk-in mental health: Bridging barriers in a pandemic. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302543. [PMID: 38820293 PMCID: PMC11142450 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
'Single Session Therapy' (SST) is a service delivery model that seeks to provide an evidence-based, solution-focused, brief intervention within a single therapy session. The stand-alone session affords the opportunity to provide brief psychological interventions while clients await access to longer-term services. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted individuals' mental health. However, the majority of research has investigated patient mental health within hospital settings and community organizations that offer long-term services, whereas minimal research has focused on mental health concerns during COVID-19 within an SST model. The primary aim of the study was to measure client experiences of a brief mental health service. The nature of client mental health concerns who access such services at various points during a pandemic was also investigated. The current study utilized client feedback forms and the Computerized Adaptive Testing-Mental Health (CAT-MH) to measure client experiences and mental health concerns. Qualitative analysis of client feedback forms revealed themes of emotional (e.g., safe space) and informational support (e.g., referrals). Clients also reported reduced barriers to accessing services (e.g., no appointment necessary, no cost), as well as limitations (e.g., not enough sessions) of the Walk-in clinic. Profile analysis of the CAT-MH data indicated that clients had higher rates of depression before COVID-19 (M = 64.2, SD = 13.07) as compared to during the pandemic (M = 59.78, SD = 16.87). In contrast, higher rates of positive suicidality flags were reported during the pandemic (n = 54) as compared to before (n = 29). The lower reported rates of depression but higher rate of suicidality during the pandemic was an unanticipated finding that contradicted prior research, to which possible explanations are explored. Taken together, the results demonstrate the positive experiences of clients who access a single session therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Wellspring
- University of British Columbia (Okanagan), Kelowna, Canada
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Tambling RR, Hynes KC, Carolan K, Charles D, Moynihan L. The Long-COVID Well-Being Scale (LCOVID-WBS): Development of a nascent measure of long-COVID symptoms and impacts. J Affect Disord 2024; 361:67-73. [PMID: 38810786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
As is now well-known, COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease, which for some can cause symptoms that last long after initial infection. In 2021, a clinical set of symptoms referred to as long-COVID was identified. For many patients, long-COVID is a confusing and frightening multisystem disease, with the potential for myriad negative psychosocial effects, including significant impacts on employment and mental health, and requiring ongoing care. Research and treatment of long-COVID will be facilitated by a sound measure that addresses aspects of well-being, symptom experiences, and psychosocial impacts among long-COVID patients. The present work addresses this need by presenting the results of the development and preliminary psychometrics for the Long-COVID Well-Being Scale (LCOVID-WBS). In an exploratory factor analysis with a panel of 236 participants, researchers identified four factors: Emotional Strain, Physical Ability Strain, Control of Life, and Overall Evaluation of Health. The nascent measure represents the first step to measuring the impacts of long-COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin C Hynes
- University of Wisconsin, Stout, United States of America
| | - Kelsi Carolan
- University of Connecticut School of Social Work, United States of America
| | - Doreek Charles
- University of Connecticut School of Social Work, United States of America
| | - Laura Moynihan
- University of Connecticut School of Social Work, United States of America
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Arceneaux A, Jones EC, Murphy AD. The contributions of social network support and reciprocity to posttraumatic stress symptoms across time among parents and caregivers impacted by the ABC Day Care Center fire in Hermosillo, Mexico. J Trauma Stress 2024. [PMID: 38652068 DOI: 10.1002/jts.23041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
In 2009, a fire occurred in the ABC Day Care Center in Hermosillo, Mexico, that killed and injured many children who were in attendance that day. This study investigated the association between the posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) of socially connected parents and caregivers whose children were affected by the fire. Parents and caregivers of the children who were in attendance the day of the fire were interviewed 8-11 months and 20-23 months postfire. Linear network autocorrelation modeling was used to test for autocorrelations of the outcome variable count of PTSS within different configurations of the network of caregivers. No significant network effects appeared in models from the first interview period, but effects did appear in the second period, specifically in the three models in which network ties consisted of "receive informational support" (.220), "give and receive emotional support" (.167), and "give and receive both informational and emotional support" (.213). The findings suggest that in these three network configurations, as relationships grew in strength from the first interview to the second, the level of one's own PTSS was more comparable to the level of PTSS of one's social connections. Two theoretical mechanisms that may explain this result are homophily and social influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Arceneaux
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Eric C Jones
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Arthur D Murphy
- Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Pacella BJ, Cowlishaw S, Gibbs L, Bryant RA, Brady K, Gallagher C, Molyneaux R, Gibson K, Block K, Harms L, Forbes D, O'Donnell ML. Trajectory of adjustment difficulties following disaster: 10-year longitudinal cohort study. BJPsych Open 2024; 10:e57. [PMID: 38433588 PMCID: PMC10951843 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2024.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although much is known about psychopathology such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression following bushfire (also known as wildfire), little is known about prevalence, trajectory and impacts for those experiencing general adjustment difficulties following exposure to these now-common events. AIMS This was an exploratory analysis of a large cohort study that examined the prevalence, trajectory and risk factors of probable adjustment disorder over a 10-year period following bushfire exposure. METHOD The Beyond Bushfires study assessed individuals exposed to a large and deadly bushfire across three time points spanning 10 years. Self-report survey data from participants from areas with moderate and high levels of fire-affectedness were analysed: n = 802 participants at Wave 1 (3-4 years post-fires), n = 596 at Wave 2 (5 years post-fires) and n = 436 at Wave 3 (10 years post-fires). Surveys indexed fire-related experiences and post-fire stressors, and comprised the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (probable adjustment disorder index), four-item Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (probable fire-related PTSD) and nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (probable major depressive episode). RESULTS Prevalence of probable adjustment disorder was 16% (Wave 1), 15% (Wave 2) and 19% (Wave 3). Probable adjustment disorder at 3-4 years post-fires predicted a five-fold increase in risk for escalating to severe psychiatric disorder (i.e. probable fire-related PTSD/major depressive episode) at 10 years post-fires, and was associated with post-fire income and relationship stressors. CONCLUSIONS Adjustment difficulties are prevalent post-disaster, many of which are maintained and exacerbated over time, resulting in increased risk for later disorder and adaptation difficulties. Psychosocial interventions supporting survivors with adjustment difficulties may prevent progression to more severe disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J. Pacella
- Phoenix Australia, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sean Cowlishaw
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lisa Gibbs
- Child and Community Wellbeing Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard A. Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kate Brady
- Child and Community Wellbeing Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Colin Gallagher
- Centre for Transformative Innovation, Faculty of Business and Law, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robyn Molyneaux
- Child and Community Wellbeing Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kari Gibson
- Phoenix Australia, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Karen Block
- Child and Community Wellbeing Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Louise Harms
- Department of Social Work, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Forbes
- Phoenix Australia, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Meaghan L. O'Donnell
- Phoenix Australia, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Lloyd SL, Caban-Holt A, Starks TD, Clark JC, Byrd GS. Assessing Gender Differences on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Medical and Social Needs of Dementia Caregivers. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORK 2024; 67:207-222. [PMID: 37578097 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2023.2244556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Our analyses aimed to assess health status and critical needs of caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) during the COVID-19 pandemic by gender. Between March 2021 and August 2021, respondents (n = 267) were recruited from an Alzheimer's disease (AD) listserv at an US academic center to complete a questionnaire to capture sociodemographic data, caregiving characteristics, health status, status of COVID-19 testing, and COVID-19 preventative practices during the pandemic. Women caregivers reported needing assistance with caregiving responsibilities, whereas men caregivers needed assistance with health and social resources. More men caregivers also reported psychological distress compared to women caregivers. Our findings indicated significant differences in the resources needed and psychological distress of women and men who cared for PWD during the COVID-19 pandemic. The development of recommendations and resources with both men and women caregivers in mind may be beneficial to support informal caregivers during emergency situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawnta L Lloyd
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Allison Caban-Holt
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Takiyah D Starks
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jarrel C Clark
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Goldie S Byrd
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
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Okuyama J, Seto S, Fukuda Y, Suzukamo Y, Okazaki T, Furusawa Y, Izumi SI, Ito K, Imamura F. Establishment of a post-disaster healthcare information booklet for the Turkey-Syrian earthquake, based on past disasters. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1558. [PMID: 38238418 PMCID: PMC10796905 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52121-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The scientific evidence based on experiences with past disasters points to the possibility of the occurrence of future mental health issues among those who were affected by the recent Turkey-Syria earthquake. However, post-disaster care information on factors that could give rise to mental health issues among those affected have yet to be provided. In March 2011, Tohoku University compiled and published a booklet with post-disaster healthcare information based on the experiences with the Great East Japan Earthquake. This study aimed to promote the introduction and use of this booklet for post-disaster care in Turkey and Syria by presenting the results of a satisfaction survey conducted with relevant Japanese organizations about the booklet. A total of 505 Japanese organizations participated in the satisfaction survey of, and evaluated, the booklet. The results indicated the need to consider the ease of understanding for the general public when providing information on post-disaster care through booklets. We hope that this study leads to the appropriate provision of easy-to-understand, post-disaster healthcare information to the victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake and future disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Okuyama
- Core Research Cluster of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan.
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.
| | - Shuji Seto
- Office for Establishment of New Faculty, Akita University, 1-1 Tegatagakuen-machi, Akita-shi, Akita, 010-8502, Japan
- Tsunami Engineering Lab, International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki-aza, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
| | - Yu Fukuda
- Notre Dame Seishin University, 2-16-9 Ifuku-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama, 700-8516, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Suzukamo
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Tatsuma Okazaki
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Furusawa
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Izumi
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Ito
- Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology Lab, International Research Institute of Disaster Research (IRIDeS), 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki-Aza, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Imamura
- Core Research Cluster of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan
- Tsunami Engineering Lab, International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki-aza, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
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7
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Soqia J, Ghareeb A, Hadakie R, Alsamara K, Forbes D, Jawich K, Al-Homsi A, Kakaje A. The mental health impact of the 2023 earthquakes on the Syrian population: cross-sectional study. BJPsych Open 2023; 10:e1. [PMID: 38037419 PMCID: PMC10755557 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural disasters have a significant impact on the mental health of affected populations. The February 2023 earthquakes in Syria and Turkey caused widespread devastation. AIMS To explore the mental health impact of the earthquakes in Syria on the population across areas differentially damaged by the disaster. METHOD This cross-sectional study conducted in Syria included 1406 adults recruited via social media platforms 1 month after the February 2023 earthquakes. Demographic information, earthquake exposure questions, the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5: for probable post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9: for probable depression) and the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7: for probable anxiety) were included to compare outcomes across areas severely, moderately and slightly damaged by the earthquakes. RESULTS Probable PTSD and GAD rates were higher in the severely (57.9 and 57.3% respectively) and moderately damaged regions (55.4 and 56.3% respectively) than in the slightly damaged regions (44.6 and 48.3% respectively) (PTSD: P < 0.001, GAD: P = 0.005). More participants in severely damaged regions (60.6%) reported symptoms of depression compared with moderately (53.1%) and slightly damaged (50.8%) regions (P = 0.003). Poorer mental health outcomes were associated with being female, single, younger, having a damaged or destroyed house, seeing something tragic in person and hearing tragic stories. Seeing something tragic on social media was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the higher prevalence of probable mental disorders in areas with more severe earthquake damage, with over 50% of the population reporting probable PTSD, depression or anxiety. The study also suggests a significant cumulative effect of these earthquakes on an already trauma- and disaster-affected population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rana Hadakie
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Syria
| | - Kinda Alsamara
- Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - David Forbes
- Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kenda Jawich
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Syria
| | | | - Ameer Kakaje
- Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Syria; and University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
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Oviedo DC, Tratner AE, Pinzón MS, Rodríguez-Araña S, Pauli-Quirós E, Chavarría C, Rodríguez CP, Britton GB. Resilience mediates the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in a sample of adults in Panama. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1235935. [PMID: 38034306 PMCID: PMC10687484 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1235935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by global increases in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Previous studies have shown that resilience mitigates these symptoms, however there is limited research exploring the link between resilience and mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic in Central America. Objective To examine the role of resilience as it relates to the perceived effect of the pandemic on mental health symptoms. Methods A sample of 480 adults in Panama were recruited from March to May 2021 to complete an online survey. The online survey consisted of sociodemographic questions and scale measures assessing depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, resilience, and social support. Results Results indicated that resilience mediated the relationship between the perceived effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health symptoms; participants who felt more personally affected by the pandemic reported more depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms via decreased resilience. Further analyses revealed that resilience was moderated by sex and social support, showing that the indirect effect of resilience was greater for women and individuals who perceived low social support. Discussion These findings contribute to a growing body of research documenting the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and reveal potential mechanisms through which pandemic-related distress decreases resilience, thereby increasing symptoms of mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana C. Oviedo
- Centro de Neurociencias y Unidad de Investigación Clínica, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama, Panama
- Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Santa María la Antigua (USMA), Panama, Panama
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación (SNI) SENACYT, Panama, Panama
| | - Adam E. Tratner
- Centro de Neurociencias y Unidad de Investigación Clínica, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama, Panama
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación (SNI) SENACYT, Panama, Panama
- Florida State University, Panama, Panama
| | - María Sofía Pinzón
- Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Santa María la Antigua (USMA), Panama, Panama
| | - Sofía Rodríguez-Araña
- Centro de Neurociencias y Unidad de Investigación Clínica, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama, Panama
| | - Elianne Pauli-Quirós
- Centro de Neurociencias y Unidad de Investigación Clínica, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama, Panama
- Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Santa María la Antigua (USMA), Panama, Panama
| | - Carlos Chavarría
- Centro de Neurociencias y Unidad de Investigación Clínica, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama, Panama
- Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Santa María la Antigua (USMA), Panama, Panama
| | - Camilo Posada Rodríguez
- Centro de Neurociencias y Unidad de Investigación Clínica, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama, Panama
| | - Gabrielle B. Britton
- Centro de Neurociencias y Unidad de Investigación Clínica, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama, Panama
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación (SNI) SENACYT, Panama, Panama
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Korndörffer L, White C, Mackelprang JL. Psychological First Aid principles within a community-led arts initiative: lessons from the Blacksmiths' Tree. DISASTERS 2023; 47:806-829. [PMID: 36208417 DOI: 10.1111/disa.12564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is widely used in the early phases of disaster recovery, despite limited empirical evidence supporting its application. PFA aims to reduce distress and encourage adaptive coping and is grounded in five principles: the promotion of hope, self- and collective efficacy, social connectedness, safety, and calm. Drawing on a constructivist perspective, this study analysed interview transcripts from Forged from Fire: The Making of the Blacksmiths' Tree, a documentary film about a community-led arts project initiated after the 2009 bushfires in Victoria, Australia. Using a reflexive process that employed deductive and inductive coding, the research investigated the presence of PFA principles in participants' experiences of the Blacksmiths' Tree project and whether themes not accounted for by PFA were also salient. The findings supported the PFA principles and generated two additional themes: grassroots and community leadership; and healing through creation and expression. The implications for disaster recovery in community settings are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilith Korndörffer
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) Student, Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology
- Bushfire Recovery Practitioner, Victorian Department of Education, Australia
| | - Carolynne White
- Participation and Co-design Manager, Mind Australia
- Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
| | - Jessica L Mackelprang
- Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
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Breslau J, Roth EA, Baird MD, Carman KG, Collins RL. A longitudinal study of predictors of serious psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic. Psychol Med 2023; 53:2418-2426. [PMID: 34629132 PMCID: PMC8523967 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721004293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of serious psychological distress (SPD) was elevated during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA, but the relationships of SPD during the pandemic with pre-pandemic SPD, pre-pandemic socioeconomic status, and pandemic-related social stressors remain unexamined. METHODS A probability-based sample (N = 1751) of the US population age 20 and over was followed prospectively from February 2019 (T1), with subsequent interviews in May 2020 (T2) and August 2020 (T3). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess prospective relationships between T1 SPD with experiences of disruption of employment, health care, and childcare at T2. Binary logistic regression was then used to assess relationships of T1 SPD, and socioeconomic status and T2 pandemic-related stressors with T3 SPD. RESULTS At T1, SPD was associated with age, race/ethnicity, and household income. SPD at T1 predicted disruption of employment (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.4-3.8) and health care (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.1) at T2. SPD at T1 (OR 10.2, 95% CI 4.5-23.3), low household income at T1 (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.4), disruption of employment at T2 (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.6), and disruption of healthcare at T2 (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5-7.2) were all significantly associated with elevated risk for SPD at T3. CONCLUSIONS Elevated risk for SPD during the COVID-19 pandemic is related to multiple psychological and social pathways that are likely to interact over the life course. Policies and interventions that target individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions as well as those experiencing persistent unemployment should be high priorities in the mental health response to the pandemic.
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11
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Wang D, Liu J. Resource allocation, individual social network, community trust and recovery from depression among rural survivors in the Wenchuan Earthquake. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 43:1-12. [PMID: 36742061 PMCID: PMC9888351 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04299-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Using the three-wave longitudinal survey data of the Wenchuan disaster area, this study employed Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) to explore the recovery trajectory from depression of rural survivors after the Wenchuan earthquake. Across the three waves, 221 respondents (118 male, 103 female) provided complete data. We found that, at the individual level, the survivors' individual social networks had a significant effect on the change in depression scores in the four years following the earthquake, implying that a strong social network could help survivors recover from depression. At the community level, community trust had a significant effect both on the initial depression score at the time of the earthquake and on the survivors' change in depression scores after the earthquake. Survivors with high community trust had significantly lower depression scores, compared with those with low community trust at the time of the earthquake; however, the depression scores of the former increased in the four years following the earthquake and gradually approached the average depression level. At the social level, relief resource allocation also had a significant effect on the change in survivors' post-disaster depression; those who deemed the resource allocation to be very fair had a decrease in depression scores. The results of our study show that rich individual social networks and allocation of relief resources contribute to earthquake survivors' recovery from depression. Therefore, besides providing more adequate relief resources to survivors, we should also emphasize the rebuilding of their social networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianxi Wang
- Beijing Sport University, No. 48 Xinxi Road, Haidian District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China 100084
| | - Jia Liu
- Beijing Sport University, No. 48 Xinxi Road, Haidian District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China 100084
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12
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Olson KD, Fogelman N, Maturo L, Alvarado J, Ball S, Forray A, Hu M, Ivy M, Kapo J, Krystal J, Mayes L, Rohrbaugh R, Southwick S, Tebes J, Wassel B, Sinha R. COVID-19 Traumatic Disaster Appraisal and Stress Symptoms Among Health Care Workers: Insights From the Yale Stress Self-assessment. J Occup Environ Med 2022; 64:934-941. [PMID: 35959912 PMCID: PMC9640251 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine to what extent did health care workers experience the pandemic as a severe stress event. METHODS This cross-sectional evaluation of 8299 health care workers, representing a 22% response rate, utilized machine learning to predict high levels of escalating stress based on demographics and known predictors for adverse psychological outcomes after trauma. RESULTS A third of health care workers experienced the pandemic as a potentially traumatic stress event; a greater proportion of health care workers experienced high levels of escalating stress. Predictive factors included sense of control, ability to manage work-life demands, guilt or shame, age, and level of education. Gender was no longer predictive after controlling for other factors. Escalating stress was especially high among nonclinical academics and clinical private practitioners. CONCLUSION Findings suggest adverse effects on total worker health, care quality, professionalism, retention, and acute and chronic mental health.
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13
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Massazza A, Teyton A, Charlson F, Benmarhnia T, Augustinavicius JL. Quantitative methods for climate change and mental health research: current trends and future directions. Lancet Planet Health 2022; 6:e613-e627. [PMID: 35809589 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00120-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The quantitative literature on climate change and mental health is growing rapidly. However, the methodological quality of the evidence is heterogeneous, and there is scope for methodological improvement and innovation. The first section of this Personal View provides a snapshot of current methodological trends and issues in the quantitative literature on climate change and mental health, drawing on literature collected through a previous scoping review. The second part of this Personal View outlines opportunities for methodological innovation concerning the assessment of the relationship between climate change and mental health. We then highlight possible methodological innovations in intervention research and in the measurement of climate change and mental health-related variables. This section draws upon methods from public mental health, environmental epidemiology, and other fields. The objective is not to provide a detailed description of different methodological techniques, but rather to highlight opportunities to use diverse methods, collaborate across disciplines, and inspire methodological innovation. The reader will be referred to practical guidance on different methods when available. We hope this Personal View will constitute a roadmap and launching pad for methodological innovation for researchers interested in investigating a rapidly growing area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Massazza
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Anaïs Teyton
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Fiona Charlson
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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14
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Mental Health Services Utilization by the Population That Suffered Water Supply Interruption Following Mariana Dam Failure (Brazil). Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2022; 17:e182. [PMID: 35766174 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2022.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Disasters may have major impacts to mental health and to the utilization of mental health services (MHS). Moreover, these effects may be worsened by the preclusion of access to basic services following the event. The aim of this study is to evaluate the utilization of public MHS by the population that suffered water supply interruption following the Mariana Dam Failure in Brazil, 2015. METHODS We conducted an Interrupted Time Series analyzing secondary health data from the municipalities that faced water supply interruption, comparing it to data from the other municipalities of Minas Gerais state. RESULTS We found a higher immediate (RR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.25-2.53) and gradual (RR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.06) change in the rate of mental health visits (MHV) in the affected population following the event, whereas there was an immediate fall (RR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.29-0.59) followed by a higher gradual increase (RR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02-1.06) in the rate of hospital admissions (HA) in the affected population. CONCLUSION The results suggest that there was an increase in the utilization of public MHS by the population that suffered water supply interruption following the disaster.
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15
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Disasters, Diagnosis, and Distress: Multiple Perspectives, Populations, and Methodologies. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12050152. [PMID: 35621449 PMCID: PMC9137573 DOI: 10.3390/bs12050152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Disaster mental health is a consequential topic in today’s world in which disasters are increasing in both numbers and magnitude and inflicting deep psychological wounds across wide populations [...]
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16
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Alonzo D, Popescu M, Zubaroglu Ioannides P. Mental health impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on parents in high-risk, low income communities. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2022; 68:575-581. [PMID: 33517821 PMCID: PMC7862916 DOI: 10.1177/0020764021991896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 has spread across the globe, resulting in significant changes in virtually every aspect of life. Mitigation efforts, like shelter-in-place orders, have taken a particular toll on parents who have had to navigate disruptions in work and/or school schedules. Research from high-income countries demonstrates increased parental anxiety, stress, depression, and burnout resulting from the pandemic. It is unclear if these outcomes are the same for parents in high-risk communities in low-income countries where pre-pandemic conditions were deleterious. This study addresses this gap and examines the mental health impact of the pandemic on parents in high-risk communities in Guatemala. METHODS A total of 330 individuals from 11 districts in Guatemala participated in the study and were assessed for sociodemographic characteristics and mental health impairment. Chi-squares were conducted for bivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was conducted using binary logistic regression. RESULTS Bivariate analysis revealed differences between groups on burnout, with parents more often reporting feelings of burnout than nonparents (p < .001). Binary regression demonstrated that non-parents were 70% less likely to endorse feelings of stress as compared to parents (OR = .285; p = .014). CONCLUSION Our findings underscore the importance of identifying the unique mental health impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on parents in high-risk communities. In high-risk communities, parental stress is a pressing problem that, if unaddressed, has the potential to result in even greater psychological distress and child maltreatment. Training community healthcare providers to assess and address parental stress can lead to increased community capacity and the development of a community-based network to serve as a first line of support for parents and their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Alonzo
- Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, West Harrison, NY, USA
| | - Marciana Popescu
- Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, West Harrison, NY, USA
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17
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Abstract
Natural disasters are large-scale adverse events resulting from natural processes of the earth, often associated with death, trauma, and destruction of property. They threaten harm or death to a large group of people; cause disruption of services and social networks and a communal loss of resources; and involve identifiable mental and physical health outcomes, among those affected. While majority of individuals who experience a traumatic event due to natural disasters do not develop psychopathology, natural disasters can threaten our psychological well-being in many ways and they can result in both short and long-term psychological distress and thus create a significant burden of mental health conditions on individuals and the community affected by them. In this paper we provide a narrative review that focuses on the mental health effects of natural disasters. We discuss effective, evidence-based interventions that can help enhance the sense of safety, hope, and optimism, as well as serve to promote social connectedness for those who are impacted. We describe how these interventions, developed by keeping in mind the cultural context and the needs of the community, can be provided pre, peri and post-disaster period to improve the adverse mental health effects of the disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sy Atezaz Saeed
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Steven P Gargano
- Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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18
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Sen HE, Colucci L, Browne DT. Keeping the Faith: Religion, Positive Coping, and Mental Health of Caregivers During COVID-19. Front Psychol 2022; 12:805019. [PMID: 35126256 PMCID: PMC8811163 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.805019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major stressors such as unemployment, financial insecurity, sickness, separation from family members, and isolation for much of the world population. These stressors have been linked to mental health difficulties for parents and caregivers. Religion and spirituality (R/S), on the other hand, is often viewed as promotive of mental health. However, the mechanisms by which R/S might promote mental health for parents during the pandemic remain unclear. Thus, this longitudinal study explores how R/S is associated with better caregiver mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic through higher levels of positive coping skills. A sample of N = 549 caregivers (parents and other adults in childrearing roles) across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia were recruited through the Prolific® research panel [67.8% female; age M = 41.33 years (SD = 6.33), 72.3% White/European]. Participants were assessed on measures of psychological distress, coping, R/S, and COVID-19 disruption at three time points between May and November 2020. Cross-lagged panel analysis revealed that caregiver coping mediated the relationship between caregiver R/S and caregiver mental health. Findings highlight a mechanism through which R/S naturally conveys a mental health benefit during periods of social disruption, which may provide an important target for public health promotion and clinical intervention.
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19
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Russell BS, Tomkunas AJ, Hutchison M, Tambling RR, Horton AL. The Protective Role of Parent Resilience on Mental Health and the Parent-Child Relationship During COVID-19. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2022; 53:183-196. [PMID: 34533667 PMCID: PMC8447807 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-021-01243-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is linked to particularly potent psychological effects for children and their caregivers while families adjust to new daily routines for work, education, and self-care. Longitudinal associations are presented from a national sample of 271 parents (mean age = 35.29 years, 48.5% female) on resilience, mental health and stress indicators, and parenting outcomes. Multigroup path model results indicate significant associations between resilience and parent stress or parent perceived child stress initiates a sequence of significant linkages to parent depression, followed by caregiver burden and parent-child relationship quality. This final set of linkages between depression and both parenting outcomes were significantly stronger for men, who also reported higher rates of perceived child stress. Results suggest that fathers' depression symptoms and associated spill-over to perceived child stress is producing stronger effects on their parenting experiences than effects reported by mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth S Russell
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd. U-1058, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
| | - Alexandria J Tomkunas
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd. U-1058, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Morica Hutchison
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd. U-1058, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Rachel R Tambling
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd. U-1058, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Abagail L Horton
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd. U-1058, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
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20
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Reynolds ME, Raitt JM, Üstyol A, Zettl R, Cloninger CR, North CS. Personality and psychiatric disorders among employees of New York City workplaces affected by the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Psychiatry 2022; 85:38-55. [PMID: 34780318 PMCID: PMC8916964 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2021.1989933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Personality is associated with psychopathology after disasters, but its association with the portion of postdisaster psychopathology that is incident remains unclear. It is also unclear whether any particular attributes of personality are associated with resistance to the persistence or recurrence of preexisting psychopathology after disasters. This exploratory study of employees of workplaces affected by the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City examined the specific relationships of personality variables (specifically, novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence) to incident postdisaster psychiatric disorders and resistance to the persistence/recurrence of preexisting psychiatric disorders after the disaster. METHODS Approximately 3 years after the 9/11 attacks, 379 employees were recruited from 8 selected affected workplaces (3 in the World Trade Center towers, 5 at varied distances in the geographic area). Lifetime predisaster and postdisaster psychiatric disorders were assessed retrospectively with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for DSM-IV, disaster experience details were collected with the Disaster Supplement, and personality was assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory. RESULTS Underdeveloped executive functioning (low self-directedness and/or low cooperativeness) was associated with incident postdisaster psychopathology, and components of resilience (low harm avoidance, high self-directedness, and high persistence) were associated with postdisaster resistance to persistence/recurrence of preexisting psychiatric illness. CONCLUSIONS Personality is related to both incident and persistent/recurrent portions of postdisaster psychopathology, not clearly distinguished in previous research. Personality variables related to executive functioning and resilience may aid in assessing risk and developing treatments to prevent disaster-related psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Reynolds
- Division of Trauma & Disaster, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Suite NE5.102, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA,Corresponding author.
| | - Josh M. Raitt
- Division of Trauma & Disaster, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Suite NE5.102, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA,The Altshuler Center for Education & Research (ACER), Metrocare Services, 1250 Mockingbird Ln., Suite 330, Dallas, TX, 75247, USA
| | - Ala Üstyol
- Division of Trauma & Disaster, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Suite NE5.102, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA,The Altshuler Center for Education & Research (ACER), Metrocare Services, 1250 Mockingbird Ln., Suite 330, Dallas, TX, 75247, USA
| | - Rachel Zettl
- Division of Trauma & Disaster, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Suite NE5.102, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - C. Robert Cloninger
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Carol S. North
- Division of Trauma & Disaster, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Suite NE5.102, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA,The Altshuler Center for Education & Research (ACER), Metrocare Services, 1250 Mockingbird Ln., Suite 330, Dallas, TX, 75247, USA
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21
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Breslau J, North CS, Finucane ML, Roth E, Collins RL. Perceived Need for Mental Health Treatment and the Mental Health Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States. Psychiatry 2022; 85:1-12. [PMID: 34328393 PMCID: PMC8800953 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2021.1940470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Population-based information on the extent of perceived need for mental health treatment and clinically significant psychological distress can help inform strategies for responding to the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A representative sample of U.S. adults, age 20 and over (N = 1,957), completed surveys in May and June 2020. Potential target populations were distinguished based on perceived need for mental health treatment and psychological distress, assessed by the Kessler-6, among those without perceived need. Populations were characterized with respect to demographic characteristics and prior mental health treatment history using logistic regression models.Results: The prevalence of perceived need for mental health treatment was 21%. Perceived need was strongly associated with pre-pandemic treatment history; compared to those with no treatment history, perceived need was dramatically higher among those in treatment when the pandemic began (OR = 53.8 95% CI 28.2-102.8) and those with pre-pandemic treatment history (OR = 9.3, 95% CI 5.1-16.8). Among the 79% who did not perceive need, moderate or greater distress was reported by 19% and was associated with younger age and Hispanic ethnicity (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.6).Conclusions: In the U.S., where mental health treatment is relatively common, mental health treatment response during the pandemic, and perhaps other crises, should target people with a history of mental health treatment. Outreach to people less likely to seek care on their own despite clinically significant distress should target Hispanic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carol S. North
- The Altshuler Center for Education & Research, Metrocare Services and Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX, USA
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22
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Exposure to COVID-19 during the First and the Second Wave of the Pandemic and Coronavirus-Related PTSD Risk among University Students from Six Countries-A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10235564. [PMID: 34884266 PMCID: PMC8658425 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10235564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to reveal differences in exposure to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the first (W1) and the second (W2) waves of the pandemic in six countries among university students and to show the prevalence and associations between exposure to COVID-19 and coronavirus-related post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) risk during W2. The repeated cross-sectional study was conducted among university students from Germany, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Ukraine (W1: n = 1684; W2: n = 1741). Eight items measured exposure to COVID-19 (regarding COVID-19 symptoms, testing, hospitalizing quarantine, infected relatives, death of relatives, job loss, and worsening economic status due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Coronavirus-related PTSD risk was evaluated by PCL-S. The exposure to COVID-19 symptoms was higher during W2 than W1 among students from all countries, except Germany, where, in contrast, the increase in testing was the strongest. Students from Poland, Turkey, and the total sample were more frequently hospitalized for COVID-19 in W2. In these countries, and Ukraine, students were more often in quarantine. In all countries, participants were more exposed to infected friends/relatives and the loss of a family member due to COVID-19 in W2 than W1. The increase in job loss due to COVID-19 was only noted in Ukraine. Economic status during W2 only worsened in Poland and improved in Russia. This was due to the significant wave of restrictions in Russia and more stringent restrictions in Poland. The prevalence of coronavirus-related PTSD risk at three cutoff scores (25, 44, and 50) was 78.20%, 32.70%, and 23.10%, respectively. The prediction models for different severity of PTSD risk differed. Female gender, a prior diagnosis of depression, a loss of friends/relatives, job loss, and worsening economic status due to the COVID-19 were positively associated with high and very high coronavirus-related PTSD risk, while female gender, a prior PTSD diagnosis, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, testing for COVID-19, having infected friends/relatives and worsening economic status were associated with moderate risk.
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23
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Tambling RR, D’Aniello C, Russell BS. Mental Health Literacy: a Critical Target for Narrowing Racial Disparities in Behavioral Health. Int J Ment Health Addict 2021; 21:1-15. [PMID: 34785992 PMCID: PMC8582339 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-021-00694-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most persistent and troubling health disparities is the underutilization of mental health services, particularly for depression and anxiety, commonly occurring behavioral health concerns. The gap between individuals who need mental health care and those who receive care is large, and identified barriers to treatment include poor mental health and insurance literacy, as well as stigmatizing attitudes toward mental health disorders. The present study presents the results of an inquiry into the mental health literacy, insurance literacy, internalized stigma, and mental health symptoms. Results suggest that mental health literacy is poor and associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, stress, internalized stigma, and caregiver burden. Implications of poor mental health literacy, as well as demographic disparities in literacy, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. R. Tambling
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, Unit 1058, Storrs, CT 06269-1058 USA
| | - C. D’Aniello
- Department of Community, Family, and Addiction Services, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX USA
| | - B. S. Russell
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, Unit 1058, Storrs, CT 06269-1058 USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of serious psychological distress (SPD) was elevated during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA, but the relationships of SPD during the pandemic with pre-pandemic SPD, pre-pandemic socioeconomic status, and pandemic-related social stressors remain unexamined. METHODS A probability-based sample (N = 1751) of the US population age 20 and over was followed prospectively from February 2019 (T1), with subsequent interviews in May 2020 (T2) and August 2020 (T3). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess prospective relationships between T1 SPD with experiences of disruption of employment, health care, and childcare at T2. Binary logistic regression was then used to assess relationships of T1 SPD, and socioeconomic status and T2 pandemic-related stressors with T3 SPD. RESULTS At T1, SPD was associated with age, race/ethnicity, and household income. SPD at T1 predicted disruption of employment (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.4-3.8) and health care (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.1) at T2. SPD at T1 (OR 10.2, 95% CI 4.5-23.3), low household income at T1 (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.4), disruption of employment at T2 (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.6), and disruption of healthcare at T2 (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5-7.2) were all significantly associated with elevated risk for SPD at T3. CONCLUSIONS Elevated risk for SPD during the COVID-19 pandemic is related to multiple psychological and social pathways that are likely to interact over the life course. Policies and interventions that target individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions as well as those experiencing persistent unemployment should be high priorities in the mental health response to the pandemic.
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25
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol S North
- From Metrocare Services and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - both in Dallas (C.S.N.); and the Departments of Psychiatry (E.M.S., S.Y.) and Medicine (J.T.C.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Psychiatry (E.M.S., S.Y.) and Medicine (J.T.C.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
| | - Emily M Sorg
- From Metrocare Services and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - both in Dallas (C.S.N.); and the Departments of Psychiatry (E.M.S., S.Y.) and Medicine (J.T.C.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Psychiatry (E.M.S., S.Y.) and Medicine (J.T.C.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
| | - SooJeong Youn
- From Metrocare Services and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - both in Dallas (C.S.N.); and the Departments of Psychiatry (E.M.S., S.Y.) and Medicine (J.T.C.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Psychiatry (E.M.S., S.Y.) and Medicine (J.T.C.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
| | - Jacqueline T Chu
- From Metrocare Services and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - both in Dallas (C.S.N.); and the Departments of Psychiatry (E.M.S., S.Y.) and Medicine (J.T.C.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Psychiatry (E.M.S., S.Y.) and Medicine (J.T.C.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
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26
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Russell BS, Hutchison M, Park CL, Fendrich M, Finkelstein-Fox L. Short-term impacts of COVID-19 on family caregivers: Emotion regulation, coping, and mental health. J Clin Psychol 2021; 78:357-374. [PMID: 34331773 PMCID: PMC8427037 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background The negative mental health impact of coronavirus disease 2019‐related stressors may be heightened for those caring for children, who bear responsibity for their welfare during disasters. Aim Based on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, we inquired whether caregivers' emotion regulation and coping behavior were associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Materials & Methods Data were collected through a national online survey in April 2020, and again 60 days later. Results:Of the 801 longitudinal cases, 176 (63.6% female; mean age = 33.5) reported caring for minors in their homes during the pandemic. Over 20% of caregivers experienced clinically concerning PTSS, rates higher than their noncaregiving counterparts. Regression analysis indicates caregivers' baseline mental health symptoms and emotion regulation predicted PTSS 60 days later. Discussion Implications for needed parenting supports among families experiencing traumatic stress are provided. Conclusion Anxiety symptoms at baseline were the most significant and consistent contributor to all models and were significantly higher among those with clinically concerning levels of PTSS suggesting a clear intervention target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth S Russell
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Morica Hutchison
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Crystal L Park
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael Fendrich
- School of Social Work, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lucy Finkelstein-Fox
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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Kim SJ, Lee S, Han H, Jung J, Yang SJ, Shin Y. Parental Mental Health and Children's Behaviors and Media Usage during COVID-19-Related School Closures. J Korean Med Sci 2021; 36:e184. [PMID: 34184439 PMCID: PMC8239422 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is different from previous disasters in that it continues to the present and has affected all aspects of family life. During epidemics, psychosocial support is not less important than infection control. During COVID-19-related school closures, prolonged partial closures of schools could have detrimental social and health consequences for children and may increase the burden on the family. Based on a community sample in Korea, this study identified parental concerns, children's media usage, other various factors and examined whether parental stress level or depression were positively associated with problem behaviors, media exposure, and sleep problems of the primary school children during school closure under COVID-19. METHODS Participants were 217 parents residing in Suwon, South Korea, who had primary school children and responded to a web-based questionnaire on parental concerns from school closure under COVID-19, subjective stress, depression, whether having received mental health services, and family characteristics; children's sleep patterns, problem behaviors, media usage during the online-only class period, and changes in activity level following the pandemic. RESULTS During school closure, children gained body weight, spent less time in physical activities and more in media usage. Besides online learning content (97.2%), YouTube was highly used content (87.6%), and games followed (78.3%). Parental subjective stress index was highly associated with parental depression (Pearson correlation 0.439, P < 0.001), children's sleep problems (0.283, P < 0.001), tablet time (0.171, P = 0.012) and behavior problems (0.413, P < 0.001). Parental depression was associated with children's sleep problems (0.355, P < 0.001), TV time (0.153, P = 0.024), tablet time (0.159, P = 0.019), and behavior problems (0.524, P < 0.001). Parents who previously received mental services seemed to be more concerned about the problems their children already have getting worse because of COVID-19 than the disease itself. Children's sleep problem was associated with tablet (0.172, P = 0.011) and smartphone time (0.298, P < 0.001), but not its frequency. CONCLUSION During COVID-19-related school closures, many parents and children had various difficulties relating to mental health. Ongoing monitoring of mental health of high-risk groups and multiple support systems may need to be expanded to cover those parents having difficulty in caring for their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Ju Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Sangha Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Hyojin Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Jaeoh Jung
- Department of Psychiatry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Su Jin Yang
- Institute of Future Convergence, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yunmi Shin
- Department of Psychiatry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
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Bakker LP, Reichelt JG, Grov EK. From a first person perspective: Soldiers' experiences three decades after an avalanche - A qualitative interview study. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2021; 35:277-283. [PMID: 33966793 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to explore indirectly exposed soldiers' subjective experiences following an avalanche. Three decades after the trauma, this study describes the perceived impact of the disaster by peers of those who survived or died in the avalanche. METHOD A qualitative, cross-sectional, study based on 17 individual interviews with persons indirectly exposed to an avalanche. Data was analysed according to qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS The findings revealed 'being a significant first person' as the main theme. Two categories were developed: 1) Experience of closeness to the victims 2) Experience of distance post-disaster. The categories elaborated two subcategories each: 1) Could have been me 2) Sadness, grief, shame and guilt over losing friends and 1) Unorganized military service post-disaster 2) Anger towards the system. CONCLUSION The soldiers indirectly exposed to the avalanche need to be seen both as a person and as a group. Both immediately following and decades after the disaster, the informants wanted the military to offer adequate follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars-Petter Bakker
- Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Institute of Military Psychiatry, PO Box 1550 Sentrum, N-0015 Oslo, Norway..
| | - Jon Gerhard Reichelt
- Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Institute of Military Psychiatry, PO Box 1550 Sentrum, N-0015 Oslo, Norway..
| | - Ellen Karine Grov
- Oslo Metropolitan University, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
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Pridmore W. 'I can see clearly now': clarifying the role of psychiatry in global disaster. Australas Psychiatry 2021; 29:337-339. [PMID: 33434047 DOI: 10.1177/1039856220986725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE First, to review the principles and practice of disaster psychiatry, in light of recent global events. Second, to identify opportunities for research. METHOD A literature review of the MEDLINE database, UpToDate and the Cochrane Library was conducted. Reference lists were also reviewed. RESULTS Psychiatrists are well-positioned to contribute to positive outcomes at all stages of the disaster response. These contributions derive from their roles as doctors, mental illness specialists and clinical leaders. CONCLUSION A novel framework for the psychiatrist's contributions was proposed. Specific knowledge of disaster psychiatry may be worthwhile, and establishment of a public disaster psychiatry centre is reasonable. Research should further examine the role of tele-psychiatry and pursue a best practice for community and front-line employee psychological preparedness.
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Garske SI, Elayan S, Sykora M, Edry T, Grabenhenrich LB, Galea S, Lowe SR, Gruebner O. Space-Time Dependence of Emotions on Twitter after a Natural Disaster. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:5292. [PMID: 34065715 PMCID: PMC8157039 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Natural disasters can have significant consequences for population mental health. Using a digital spatial epidemiologic approach, this study documents emotional changes over space and time in the context of a large-scale disaster. Our aims were to (a) explore the spatial distribution of negative emotional expressions of Twitter users before, during, and after Superstorm Sandy in New York City (NYC) in 2012 and (b) examine potential correlations between socioeconomic status and infrastructural damage with negative emotional expressions across NYC census tracts over time. A total of 984,311 geo-referenced tweets with negative basic emotions (anger, disgust, fear, sadness, shame) were collected and assigned to the census tracts within NYC boroughs between 8 October and 18 November 2012. Global and local univariate and bivariate Moran's I statistics were used to analyze the data. We found local spatial clusters of all negative emotions over all disaster periods. Socioeconomic status and infrastructural damage were predominantly correlated with disgust, fear, and shame post-disaster. We identified spatial clusters of emotional reactions during and in the aftermath of a large-scale disaster that could help provide guidance about where immediate and long-term relief measures are needed the most, if transferred to similar events and on comparable data worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja I. Garske
- State Office of Health and Social Affairs, 10639 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Suzanne Elayan
- Centre for Information Management, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK; (S.E.); (M.S.)
| | - Martin Sykora
- Centre for Information Management, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK; (S.E.); (M.S.)
| | - Tamar Edry
- Department of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Linus B. Grabenhenrich
- Department for Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch-Institut, 13359 Berlin, Germany;
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandro Galea
- School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Sarah R. Lowe
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Oliver Gruebner
- Department of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
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Tambling R, Russell B, Tomkunas A, Horton A, Hutchison M. Factors Contributing to Parents' Psychological and Medical Help Seeking During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH 2021; 44:87-98. [PMID: 33565782 DOI: 10.1097/fch.0000000000000298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and related quarantine orders will impact the mental health of millions of individuals in the United States. Mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, and other negative mental health sequelae are likely and likely to persist. These challenges will require response from the psychotherapeutic and medical community that addresses the mental health needs of the population. Using binary logistic regression (n = 322 at time 1, and n = 189 at time 2), researchers in the present study examined promotive factors related to having sought medical or behavioral health treatment during a 30-day period in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Approximately 10% of the sample indicated having sought either type of help. Results from the binary logistic regressions indicated those who sought counseling or medical help were those who reported increased depression symptoms at time 1. The likelihood of help seeking was heightened for those who reported greater caregiving burden, highlighting the need to consider the availability of services for those caring for children during this community-wide crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Tambling
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs
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Cowlishaw S, Metcalf O, Varker T, Stone C, Molyneaux R, Gibbs L, Block K, Harms L, MacDougall C, Gallagher HC, Bryant R, Lawrence-Wood E, Kellett C, O'Donnell M, Forbes D. Anger Dimensions and Mental Health Following a Disaster: Distribution and Implications After a Major Bushfire. J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:46-55. [PMID: 33136348 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Anger is an important dimension of affect and a prominent feature of posttraumatic mental health, but it is commonly overlooked in postdisaster settings. We aimed to examine the distribution and implications of significant anger problems in the aftermath of a natural disaster, via analyses of Beyond Bushfires survey data from 736 residents of rural communities 5 years after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria, Australia. Assessments included the five-item Dimensions of Anger Reaction (DAR-5) scale along with measures of PTSD, depression, and significant mental illness, and indicators of life satisfaction, suicidality, hostile aggressive behavior, and violence exposure. The results indicated that approximately 10% of respondents from areas highly affected by the bushfires scored above the provisional cutoff criteria for significant anger problems on the DAR-5, which was a more than 3-fold increase, OR = 3.26, relative to respondents from areas of low-to-moderate bushfire impact. The rates were higher among women, younger participants, and those who were unemployed, and co-occurred commonly, although not exclusively, with other postdisaster mental health problems. Anger problems were also associated with lower life satisfaction, β = -.31, an 8-fold increase in suicidal ideation, OR = 8.68, and a nearly 13-fold increase in hostile aggressive behavior, OR = 12.98. There were associations with anger problems and violence exposure, which were reduced when controlling for covariates, including probable PTSD. The findings provide evidence indicating that anger is a significant issue for postdisaster mental health and should be considered routinely alongside other posttraumatic mental health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Cowlishaw
- Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol United Kingdom
| | - Olivia Metcalf
- Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tracey Varker
- Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Caleb Stone
- Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robyn Molyneaux
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lisa Gibbs
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Karen Block
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Louise Harms
- Department of Social Work, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Colin MacDougall
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - H Colin Gallagher
- Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ellie Lawrence-Wood
- Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Connie Kellett
- Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Meaghan O'Donnell
- Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Forbes
- Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Breslau J, Finucane ML, Locker AR, Baird MD, Roth EA, Collins RL. A longitudinal study of psychological distress in the United States before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prev Med 2021; 143:106362. [PMID: 33388325 PMCID: PMC9753596 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial stress and disrupted daily life more quickly than any prior economic downturn and on a scale beyond any prior natural disaster. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on psychological distress and identify vulnerable groups using longitudinal data to account for pre-pandemic mental health status. Clinically significant psychological distress was assessed with the Kessler-6 in a national probability sample of adults in the United States at two time points, February 2019 (T1) and May 2020 (T2). To identify increases in distress, psychological distress during the worst month of the past year at T1 was compared with psychological distress over the past 30-days at T2. Survey adjusted logistic regression was used to estimate associations of demographic characteristics at T1 (gender, age, race, and income) and census region at T2 with within-person increases in psychological distress. The past-month prevalence of serious psychological distress at T2 was as high as the past-year prevalence at T1 (10.9% vs. 10.2%). Psychological distress was strongly associated across assessments (X2(4) = 174.6, p < .0001). Increase in psychological distress above T1 was associated with gender, age, household income, and census region. Equal numbers of people experienced serious psychological distress in 30-days during the pandemic as did over an entire year prior to the pandemic. Mental health services and research efforts should be targeted to those with a history of mental health conditions and groups identified as at high risk for increases in distress above pre-pandemic levels.
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North CS, Baron D. The Symptom Structure of Postdisaster Major Depression: Convergence of Evidence from 11 Disaster Studies Using Consistent Methods. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:bs11010008. [PMID: 33451027 PMCID: PMC7828554 DOI: 10.3390/bs11010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Agreement has not been achieved across symptom factor studies of major depressive disorder, and no studies have identified characteristic postdisaster depressive symptom structures. This study examined the symptom structure of major depression across two databases of 1181 survivors of 11 disasters studied using consistent research methods and full diagnostic assessment, addressing limitations of prior self-report symptom-scale studies. The sample included 808 directly-exposed survivors of 10 disasters assessed 1–6 months post disaster and 373 employees of 8 organizations affected by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks assessed nearly 3 years after the attacks. Consistent symptom patterns identifying postdisaster major depression were not found across the 2 databases, and database factor analyses suggested a cohesive grouping of depression symptoms. In conclusion, this study did not find symptom clusters identifying postdisaster major depression to guide the construction and validation of screeners for this disorder. A full diagnostic assessment for identification of postdisaster major depressive disorder remains necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol S. North
- The Altshuler Center for Education & Research, Metrocare Services, Dallas, TX 75247, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9070, USA
| | - David Baron
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
- Correspondence:
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North CS, Surís AM, Pollio DE. A Nosological Exploration of PTSD and Trauma in Disaster Mental Health and Implications for the COVID-19 Pandemic. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:bs11010007. [PMID: 33430132 PMCID: PMC7827144 DOI: 10.3390/bs11010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rapidly spread around the world, resulting in massive medical morbidity and mortality and substantial mental health consequences. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an important psychiatric disorder associated with disasters, and many published scientific articles have reported post-traumatic stress syndromes in populations studied for COVID-19 mental health outcomes. American diagnostic criteria for PTSD have evolved across editions of the manual, and the current definition excludes naturally occurring medical illness (such as viral illness) as a qualifying trauma, ruling out this viral pandemic as the basis for a diagnosis of PTSD. This article provides an in-depth nosological consideration of the diagnosis of PTSD and critically examines three essential elements (trauma, exposure, and symptomatic response) of this diagnosis, specifically applying these concepts to the mental health outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current criteria for PTSD are unsatisfying for guiding the response to mental health consequences associated with this pandemic, and suggestions are made for addressing the conceptual diagnostic problems and designing research to resolve diagnostic uncertainties empirically. Options might be to revise the diagnostic criteria or consider categorization of COVID-19-related psychiatric syndromes as non-traumatic stressor-related syndromes or other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol S. North
- The Altshuler Center for Education & Research, Metrocare Services, Dallas, TX 75247-4914, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 73090-9070, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Alina M. Surís
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 73090-9070, USA;
- VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, TX 75216, USA
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LENHARDT G, ANDRETTA I. The influence of sociodemographic variables in the triggering of emotional symptoms after an air disaster. ESTUDOS DE PSICOLOGIA (CAMPINAS) 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0275202138e190154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract The study aimed to identify the predictive relationship of sociodemographic variables and emotional symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and stress. A sample of 194 people who experienced an air disaster, average age of 32 years, participated in the survey. The instruments used were: Sociodemographic Data Questionnaire, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Civilian Version, and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. A multiple regression analysis indicated that women participants were associated with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and those directly exposed to the disaster had higher odds ratios to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and stress symptoms. It is expected, with this information, to identify early the people who may be most vulnerable and contribute to the elaboration of intervention protocols.
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Outcomes and Correlates of Major Depression in 11 Disaster Studies Using Consistent Methods. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:bs11010004. [PMID: 33401379 PMCID: PMC7823870 DOI: 10.3390/bs11010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated psychosocial functioning and employment status in association with postdisaster major depression and its course in survivors of 11 different disasters in a sample of 808 directly-exposed survivors of 10 disasters and 373 survivors of the 11 September 2001 (9/11), terrorist attacks on New York City’s World Trade Center (total n = 1181). Participants were assessed between 1987 and 2007 with structured diagnostic interviews in a prospective longitudinal design. Consistent research methods allowed merging of the disaster databases for analysis using multivariate modeling. Postdisaster major depression in the study cohort from the 9/11 disaster was more than twice as prevalent as in the other disasters, possibly reflecting the greater psychosocial/interpersonal loss and bereavement experienced by 9/11 disaster survivors. At follow up, employment was associated with remission of postdisaster major depression, non-development of PTSD, and coping via family or friends. Functioning problems were associated with disaster injuries, but not with persistent major depression. This study is unprecedented in its large sample of survivors across the full range of disaster typology studied using consistent methods and full structured interview diagnostic assessment. These findings may help guide future interventions to address postdisaster depression.
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Burke-Garcia A, Johnson-Turbes A, Mitchell EW, Verlenden JMV, Puddy R, Mercado MC, Nelson P, Rabinowitz L, Xia K, Wagstaff L, Feng M, Caicedo L, Tolbert E. How Right Now? Supporting Mental Health and Resilience Amid COVID-19. TRAUMATOLOGY 2021; 27:399-412. [PMID: 35360002 PMCID: PMC8967147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The How Right Now communication initiative (HRN) was developed to facilitate resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. HRN was designed as a conduit for promoting mental health and addressing feelings of grief, worry, and stress experienced during this time. This article provides an overview of the rapid, mixed-method, culturally responsive formative research process undertaken to inform the development of HRN. Specifically, it describes how HRN's disproportionately affected audiences (adults aged 65 and older and their caregivers, adults with preexisting physical and mental health conditions, adults experiencing violence, and adults experiencing economic distress) describe and discuss emotional resilience, what they need to be resilient, and what factors contribute to the perceptions of their ability to "bounce back" from the conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection methods included an environmental scan (n ≥ 700 publications), social listening (n ≥ 1 million social media posts), partner needs-assessment calls (n = 16), partner-convened listening sessions with community members (n = 29), online focus groups (n = 58), and a national probability survey (n = 731), all in English and Spanish. Results revealed that HRN's audiences have diverse perceptions of what constitutes resilience. However, common factors were identified across populations to support resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including informal and formal social support and access to services to meet basic needs, including food and housing resources. Stress, anxiety, depression, and experience with stigma and discrimination were also linked to resilience. Understanding the perspectives and experiences of disproportionately affected populations is vital to identifying supports and services, including the engagement of community stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Burke-Garcia
- Department of Public Health, National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | | | | | | | - Richard Puddy
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Melissa C. Mercado
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | | | - Lucy Rabinowitz
- Department of Public Health, National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Kanru Xia
- Department of Public Health, National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Laura Wagstaff
- Department of Public Health, National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Miao Feng
- Department of Public Health, National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | | | - Emily Tolbert
- Maryland Department of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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Canan F, North CS. The Association between General and Pathological Dissociation and Disaster-Related Psychopathology in Directly Exposed Survivors. Psychiatry 2020; 83:292-305. [PMID: 32069180 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2020.1716440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Dissociation and trauma have a well-documented relationship, and dissociation is assumed to result from trauma exposure. If trauma generates dissociative psychopathology, it should be observed after exposure to disaster and be associated with disaster-related psychopathology. Few studies have focused specifically on dissociation as an outcome of disaster trauma. This study examined dissociation and its association with disaster-related psychopathology in survivors of five different disasters. Methods: In the first 6 postdisaster months, directly exposed survivors (N = 216) of mass shootings, floods, or a firestorm completed structured diagnostic interviews providing lifetime predisaster and postdisaster prevalent/incident psychiatric diagnoses and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) 1-3 years after baseline. Results: DES scores were very low; only 1% met the DES Taxon signifying pathological dissociation. In multivariate models including predisaster lifetime major depression, lifetime panic disorder, lifetime generalized anxiety disorder, and lifetime alcohol use disorder; disaster-related PTSD; and number of incident somatoform symptoms as independent covariates, predisaster lifetime major depression and alcohol use disorder were independently associated with both general (DES score) and pathological (DES Taxon) dissociation, and postdisaster incident somatization symptoms were also associated with general dissociation, but postdisaster psychopathology including disaster-related PTSD was not associated with general or pathological dissociation. Conclusions: Neither general nor pathological dissociation was independently associated with disaster-related PTSD or other incident psychopathology. The only psychiatric disorders associated with dissociation were present before the disasters. Coupled with the low dissociation rates, these findings indicate that dissociation does not appear to be a mental health outcome of disaster trauma.
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40
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Russell BS, Hutchison M, Tambling R, Tomkunas AJ, Horton AL. Initial Challenges of Caregiving During COVID-19: Caregiver Burden, Mental Health, and the Parent-Child Relationship. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2020; 51:671-682. [PMID: 32749568 PMCID: PMC7398861 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-020-01037-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 337] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Research confirms that the mental health burdens following community-wide disasters are extensive, with pervasive impacts noted in individuals and families. It is clear that child disaster outcomes are worst among children of highly distressed caregivers, or those caregivers who experience their own negative mental health outcomes from the disaster. The current study used path analysis to examine concurrent patterns of parents' (n = 420) experience from a national sample during the early months of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic. The results of a multi-group path analysis, organized by parent gender, indicate good fit to the data [X2(10) = 159.04, p < .01]. Results indicate significant linkages between parents' caregiver burden, mental health, and perceptions of children's stress; these in turn are significantly linked to child-parent closeness and conflict, indicating possible spillover effects for depressed parents and compensatory effects for anxious parents. The impact of millions of families sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic for an undefined period of time may lead to unprecedented impacts on individuals' mental health with unknown impacts on child-parent relationships. These impacts may be heightened for families whose caregivers experience increased mental health symptoms, as was the case for fathers in the current sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S Russell
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, Unit 1058, Storrs, CT, 06269-1058, USA.
| | - M Hutchison
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, Unit 1058, Storrs, CT, 06269-1058, USA
| | - R Tambling
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, Unit 1058, Storrs, CT, 06269-1058, USA
| | - A J Tomkunas
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, Unit 1058, Storrs, CT, 06269-1058, USA
| | - A L Horton
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, Unit 1058, Storrs, CT, 06269-1058, USA
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Meagan W, Ayvaci ER, Bhatti SM, Karen D, Page LE, Tulsie P, Zettl RE, John D, Jeffrey S, Pollio DE, North CS. A qualitative analysis of satisfaction with justice and desire for revenge in survivors of the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York City's World Trade Center. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 25:246-254. [PMID: 31885430 DOI: 10.1037/pac0000362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Meagan
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX
| | - Emine R Ayvaci
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX
| | - Saira M Bhatti
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX
| | - Duong Karen
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX
| | - Lindsay E Page
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX
| | - Patel Tulsie
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX
| | - Rachel E Zettl
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX
| | - Dykema John
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX
| | - Sonis Jeffrey
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Departments of Social Medicine and Family Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - David E Pollio
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Social Work, Birmingham, AL
| | - Carol S North
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX.,The Altshuler Center for Education & Research, Metrocare Services, Dallas, TX
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Bakker LP, Eriksen S, Reichelt JG, Grov EK. The experiences of dealing with consequences of an avalanche - surviving soldiers' perspectives. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2019; 14:1689066. [PMID: 31713468 PMCID: PMC6853213 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2019.1689066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore and describe experiences of daily life after having experienced an avalanche three decades ago.Method: This paper presents a qualitative study of 12 male survivors of an avalanche during their military service, interviewed 30 years post-disaster.Findings: A comprehensive understanding of the categories led to the latent theme "Finding my own way of managing and dealing with life". Findings revealed three categories describing experiences of daily living: (i) A comfortable life; (ii) A challenging, yet accomplished life; (iii) A demanding life. The first category represents a greater degree of using adaptive coping strategies for managing everyday life compared to the other two categories. The third category represents the group having the most challenging consequences. Among the three, the latter category conveys the most maladaptive coping strategies.Conclusions:The participants had different experiences with regards to their health and how they coped with their everyday life after the avalanche disaster. Insights into coping strategies may provide a guide for appropriate interventions for survivors dealing with traumatic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars-Petter Bakker
- Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Institute of Military Psychiatry, Oslo, Norway
| | - Siren Eriksen
- Faculty of Health Studies, Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway, and VID Specialized university, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Gerhard Reichelt
- Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Institute of Military Psychiatry, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ellen Karine Grov
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
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Perceptions of Mental Health and Wellbeing Following Residential Displacement and Damage from the 2018 St. John River Flood. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16214174. [PMID: 31671838 PMCID: PMC6862334 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Climate change has spurred an increase in the prevalence and severity of natural disasters. Damage from natural disasters can lead to residential instability, which negatively impacts mental health and wellbeing. However, research on the mental health of residents who are displaced after natural disasters is relatively novel and needs more study. This study investigates experiences of mental health in residents in New Brunswick, Canada, who experienced residential damage and/or displacement during the 2018 spring flood. Lived experiences were studied through focus groups with 20 residents and perceptions of community mental health and wellbeing were captured during key informant interviews with 10 local community leaders. Data collection and analysis employed grounded theory. Findings indicate that those who had residential displacement or damage due to the flooding experienced negative mental health impacts, both during and following the flood. While natural disasters have devastating impacts on mental health, the data also indicate that the communities were positively impacted by a collective and collaborative response to the flood. This paper argues for the utility of communal coping as a concept to describe the experiences of communities following residential damage and/or displacement following natural disasters.
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Canan F, North CS. A study of dissociation in survivors of 5 disasters. Psychiatry Res 2019; 279:77-82. [PMID: 31310893 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
This study examined dissociation as an outcome to disaster in dissociative data collected from 423 highly-exposed survivors of 5 different disasters using consistent methodology. Ten items selected for conceptual relevance to disaster experience were administered from the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule, a structured interview for lifetime dissociative disorders. Structured psychiatric interviews provided data on incident somatization symptoms, disaster-related PTSD, and lifetime predisaster psychopathology. The Temperament and Character Inventory assessed personality. Observed levels of dissociation were low and not usually postdisaster. Dissociation level was associated with female sex, number of incident somatization symptoms, personality (underdeveloped executive functioning), PTSD, and predisaster psychopathology in bivariate analyses. In multiple linear regression models, dissociation was associated with the low number of incident somatoform symptoms observed independent of the effects of PTSD, hyperarousal specifically (but not intrusion or avoidance/numbing), personality, predisaster psychopathology, and demographic variables which were not independently associated with dissociation. The low levels of dissociation found in this study and the lack of association between dissociation and indicators of psychopathology point to a largely nonpathological nature of the dissociative phenomena measured. These findings do not indicate the development of dissociative psychopathology as a prevalent mental health outcome of disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Canan
- The Altshuler Center for Education & Research at Metrocare Services, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Suite NE5.102, Dallas, TX 75390-9070, USA.
| | - Carol S North
- The Altshuler Center for Education & Research at Metrocare Services, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Suite NE5.102, Dallas, TX 75390-9070, USA
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Bakker LP, Småstuen MC, Reichelt JG, Gjerstad CL, Tønnessen A, Weisæth L, Herlofsen PH, Grov EK. The trajectory of symptom burden in exposed and unexposed survivors of a major avalanche disaster: a 30 year long-term follow-up study. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19:175. [PMID: 31182052 PMCID: PMC6558916 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2159-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited research exists concerning the long-term effects of avalanches on survivors' mental health beyond the first years after the accident. The aims of this study were to describe and evaluate possible differences in long-term mental health symptoms after a major avalanche disaster between exposed and unexposed soldiers using a longitudinal design. METHOD Present mental health symptoms were examined among avalanche exposed (n = 12) and unexposed (n = 9) soldiers by PTSS-10, IES-15 and STAI-12 in four waves (1986-1987 and 2016). RESULTS Binary logistic regression revealed that the odds to score above the cut-off were significantly lower for both groups after one year compared to baseline for PTSS-10 (p = 0.018) and significantly lower after 30 days compared to baseline for IES-15 (p = 0.005). Data did not reveal significant differences between the exposed and unexposed groups regarding adjusted PTSS-10, IES-15 or STAI-12 mean scores compared. Linear mixed model-analyses revealed significant effects of time. The adjusted mean scores declined over time for both groups: PTSS-10 (p = 0.001), IES-15 (p = 0.026) and STAI-12 (p = 0.001), and the time trajectories for PTSS-10 were significantly different between the groups (p = 0.013). Although not significant (all p > 0.05), results indicated that a larger proportion of soldiers in the exposed group experienced posttraumatic stress symptoms (5/12) (PTSS-10 score ≥ 4) and distress symptoms (6/12) (IES-15 score ≥ 26) above cut-off points, 30 years post-disaster. CONCLUSIONS The course of mental health symptoms may persist, and even increase, in selected and trained military personnel 30 years after exposure to a natural disaster. These findings may be of great importance for health authorities planning appropriate follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars-Petter Bakker
- Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Institute of Military Psychiatry, PO Box 1550, Sentrum, N-0015, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Milada Cvancarova Småstuen
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, PO Box 4, St. Olavs plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Gerhard Reichelt
- Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Institute of Military Psychiatry, PO Box 1550, Sentrum, N-0015 Oslo, Norway
| | - Christer Lunde Gjerstad
- Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Institute of Military Psychiatry, PO Box 1550, Sentrum, N-0015 Oslo, Norway
| | - Arnfinn Tønnessen
- Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services, Institute of Military Psychiatry, PO Box 1550, Sentrum, N-0015 Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Weisæth
- 0000 0004 1936 8921grid.5510.1Institute of Clinical Medicine, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, Gaustad sykehus. Bygg 4, PO Box 1039, N-0315 Oslo, Blindern Norway
| | | | - Ellen Karine Grov
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, PO Box 4, St. Olavs plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway
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Bakker LP, Småstuen MC, Reichelt JG, Gjerstad CL, Weisaeth L, Herlofsen PH, Grov EK. Sleep quality problems three decades post-disaster. Nord J Psychiatry 2019; 73:104-110. [PMID: 30663933 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2018.1563214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Sleep quality problems are a core feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aims of this study were to describe and evaluate possible differences regarding sleep quality problems and hyperarousal symptoms between exposed and unexposed survivors after an avalanche. Further, we wanted to describe any association between avalanche exposure and survivors' self-reported sleep quality problems and posttraumatic stress (disorder) symptoms with and without hyperarousal symptoms. METHOD The participants were soldiers who had survived an avalanche (n = 12) and a sample of unexposed soldiers (n = 9). Subjective sleep quality problems and posttraumatic stress (disorder) symptoms were assessed using well-validated measures: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Posttraumatic Symptom Scale-10 (PTSS-10), and Impact of Event Scale-15 (IES-15). Hyperarousal symptoms were assessed using a 3-item hyperarousal-index from PTSS-10 (PTSS-10/Hyp index). RESULTS No significant difference in sleep quality problems was revealed between the exposed and unexposed groups. There was a significant association between those with PTSS-10 ≥ 4 combined with hyperarousal symptoms and sleep quality problems (p = .046), 30 years after the avalanche. Likewise, no significant associations was revaled between those with sleep quality problems and IES-15 ≥ 26 with and without hyperarousal. Binary logistic regression showed that those with sleep quality problems (PSQI > 5) 30 years post-disaster, had 2.5 times greater odds (OR = 2.49, 95%CI [0.95-6.55], p = .064) of having hyperarousal symptoms during the whole follow-up period compared to those without sleep quality problems. CONCLUSION Our findings may indicate an association between sleep quality problems (PSQI > 5) and hyperarousal symptoms in soldiers with scores above cut-off point for posttraumatic stress (disorder) symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars-Petter Bakker
- a Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services , Institute of Military Psychiatry , Oslo , Norway
| | - Milada Cvancarova Småstuen
- b Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences , Oslo Metropolitan University , Oslo , Norway
| | - Jon Gerhard Reichelt
- a Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services , Institute of Military Psychiatry , Oslo , Norway
| | - Christer Lunde Gjerstad
- a Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services , Institute of Military Psychiatry , Oslo , Norway
| | | | | | - Ellen Karine Grov
- b Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences , Oslo Metropolitan University , Oslo , Norway
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Gruebner O, Lowe SR, Sykora M, Shankardass K, Subramanian SV, Galea S. Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Negative Emotions in New York City After a Natural Disaster as Seen in Social Media. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15102275. [PMID: 30336558 PMCID: PMC6211036 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15102275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Disasters have substantial consequences for population mental health. We used Twitter to (1) extract negative emotions indicating discomfort in New York City (NYC) before, during, and after Superstorm Sandy in 2012. We further aimed to (2) identify whether pre- or peri-disaster discomfort were associated with peri- or post-disaster discomfort, respectively, and to (3) assess geographic variation in discomfort across NYC census tracts over time. Our sample consisted of 1,018,140 geo-located tweets that were analyzed with an advanced sentiment analysis called ”Extracting the Meaning Of Terse Information in a Visualization of Emotion” (EMOTIVE). We calculated discomfort rates for 2137 NYC census tracts, applied spatial regimes regression to find associations of discomfort, and used Moran’s I for spatial cluster detection across NYC boroughs over time. We found increased discomfort, that is, bundled negative emotions after the storm as compared to during the storm. Furthermore, pre- and peri-disaster discomfort was positively associated with post-disaster discomfort; however, this association was different across boroughs, with significant associations only in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens. In addition, rates were most prominently spatially clustered in Staten Island lasting pre- to post-disaster. This is the first study that determined significant associations of negative emotional responses found in social media posts over space and time in the context of a natural disaster, which may guide us in identifying those areas and populations mostly in need for care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Gruebner
- Department of Geography, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 10099, Germany.
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Prevention Institute (EBPI), University of Zurich, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Sarah R Lowe
- Department of Psychology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA.
| | - Martin Sykora
- Centre for Information Management (CIM), School of Business and Economics (SBE), Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK.
| | - Ketan Shankardass
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - S V Subramanian
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Sandro Galea
- School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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Chatterjee A, Banerjee S, Stein C, Kim MH, DeFerio J, Pathak J. Risk Factors for Depression Among Civilians After the 9/11 World Trade Center Terrorist Attacks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS CURRENTS 2018; 10:ecurrents.dis.6a00b40c8ace0a6a0017361d7577c50a. [PMID: 30090669 PMCID: PMC5898905 DOI: 10.1371/currents.dis.6a00b40c8ace0a6a0017361d7577c50a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The development of depressive symptoms among the population of civilians who were not directly involved in recovery or rescue efforts following the 9/11 World Trade Center (WTC) terrorist attacks is not comprehensively understood. We performed a meta-analysis that examined the associations between multiple risk factors and depressive symptoms after the 9/11 WTC terrorist attacks in New York City among civilians including survivors, residents, and passersby. METHODS PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library were searched from September, 2001 through July, 2016. Reviewers identified eligible studies and synthesized odds ratios (ORs) using a random-effects model. RESULTS The meta-analysis included findings from 7 studies (29,930 total subjects). After adjusting for multiple comparisons, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with minority race/ethnicity (OR, 1.40; 99.5% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.04 to 1.88), lower income level (OR, 1.25; 99.5% CI, 1.09 to 1.43), post-9/11 social isolation (OR, 1.68; 99.5% CI, 1.13 to 2.49), post-9/11 change in employment (OR, 2.06; 99.5% CI, 1.30 to 3.26), not being married post-9/11 (OR, 1.59; 99.5% CI, 1.18 to 2.15), and knowing someone injured or killed (OR, 2.02; 99.5% CI, 1.42 to 2.89). Depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with greater age (OR, 0.86; 99.5% CI, 0.70 to 1.05), no college degree (OR, 1.32; 99.5% CI, 0.96 to 1.83), female sex (OR, 1.24; 99.5% CI, 0.98 to 1.59), or direct exposure to WTC related traumatic events (OR, 1.26; 99.5% CI, 0.69 to 2.30). DISCUSSION Findings from this study suggest that lack of post-disaster social capital was most strongly associated with depressive symptoms among the civilian population after the 9/11 WTC terrorist attacks, followed by bereavement and lower socioeconomic status. These risk factors should be identified among civilians in future disaster response efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinaba Chatterjee
- Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Samprit Banerjee
- Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Cheryl Stein
- Department of Health and Mental Hygeine, Division of Epidemiology, World Trade Center Health Registry, New York, NY USA
| | - Min-Hyung Kim
- Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Joseph DeFerio
- Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Jyotishman Pathak
- Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
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Watts N, Amann M, Ayeb-Karlsson S, Belesova K, Bouley T, Boykoff M, Byass P, Cai W, Campbell-Lendrum D, Chambers J, Cox PM, Daly M, Dasandi N, Davies M, Depledge M, Depoux A, Dominguez-Salas P, Drummond P, Ekins P, Flahault A, Frumkin H, Georgeson L, Ghanei M, Grace D, Graham H, Grojsman R, Haines A, Hamilton I, Hartinger S, Johnson A, Kelman I, Kiesewetter G, Kniveton D, Liang L, Lott M, Lowe R, Mace G, Odhiambo Sewe M, Maslin M, Mikhaylov S, Milner J, Latifi AM, Moradi-Lakeh M, Morrissey K, Murray K, Neville T, Nilsson M, Oreszczyn T, Owfi F, Pencheon D, Pye S, Rabbaniha M, Robinson E, Rocklöv J, Schütte S, Shumake-Guillemot J, Steinbach R, Tabatabaei M, Wheeler N, Wilkinson P, Gong P, Montgomery H, Costello A. The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: from 25 years of inaction to a global transformation for public health. Lancet 2018; 391:581-630. [PMID: 29096948 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(17)32464-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 431] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nick Watts
- Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Markus Amann
- Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Program and Greenhouse Gas Initiative, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson
- Environmental Migration, Social Vulnerability and daptation section (EMSVA), Institute for Environment and Security, United Nations University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kristine Belesova
- Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Timothy Bouley
- Climate Change Department, World Bank, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Maxwell Boykoff
- Center for Science and Technology Policy, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Peter Byass
- Epidemiology & Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Wenjia Cai
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum
- Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Peter M Cox
- College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Meaghan Daly
- Center for Science and Technology Policy, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Niheer Dasandi
- International Development Department, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Michael Davies
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Anneliese Depoux
- Centre Virchow-Villermé for Public Health Paris-Berlin, Paris, France
| | - Paula Dominguez-Salas
- Department of Production and Population Health, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Paul Drummond
- UCL Institute of Sustainable Resources, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Ekins
- UCL Institute of Sustainable Resources, University College London, London, UK
| | - Antoine Flahault
- Centre Virchow-Villermé for Public Health Paris-Berlin, Paris, France
| | - Howard Frumkin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Mostafa Ghanei
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Delia Grace
- Food Safety and Zoonoses Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hilary Graham
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Rébecca Grojsman
- Centre Virchow-Villermé for Public Health Paris-Berlin, Paris, France
| | - Andy Haines
- Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ian Hamilton
- UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stella Hartinger
- Unidad de Desarrollo Integral, Ambiente y Salud, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Anne Johnson
- UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ilan Kelman
- UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gregor Kiesewetter
- Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Program and Greenhouse Gas Initiative, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Lu Liang
- School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Arkansas at Monticello, Monticello, AR, USA
| | - Melissa Lott
- UCL Institute of Sustainable Resources, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robert Lowe
- UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Georgina Mace
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Maquins Odhiambo Sewe
- Epidemiology & Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mark Maslin
- Department of Geography, University College London, London, UK
| | - Slava Mikhaylov
- Institute for Analytics and Data Science, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - James Milner
- Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ali Mohammad Latifi
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Karyn Morrissey
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Kris Murray
- Grantham Institute-Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tara Neville
- Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Nilsson
- Epidemiology & Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tadj Oreszczyn
- Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Fereidoon Owfi
- Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, AREEO, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Steve Pye
- UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mahnaz Rabbaniha
- Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, AREEO, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elizabeth Robinson
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Epidemiology & Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Schütte
- Centre Virchow-Villermé for Public Health Paris-Berlin, Paris, France
| | - Joy Shumake-Guillemot
- WHO/WMO Joint Climate and Health Office, World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca Steinbach
- Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Meisam Tabatabaei
- Biofuel Research Team, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran, AREEO, Karaj, Iran
| | - Nicola Wheeler
- Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Wilkinson
- Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Peng Gong
- Centre for Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hugh Montgomery
- Centre for Human Health and Performance, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony Costello
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Risk and Protective Factors for Mental Health and Community Cohesion After the 2013 Calgary Flood. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2017; 12:470-477. [PMID: 28770699 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2017.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine mental health and community cohesion in women living in Calgary after a natural disaster considering previously collected mental health data. METHODS Data from an ongoing longitudinal cohort, the All Our Families study, were used to examine mental health and community cohesion 5 months after a major flood in Calgary, Canada. Participants who had completed a baseline questionnaire before the flood were eligible for inclusion in this study (N=923). Four multivariable logistic regression models were built to examine predictors of post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and community cohesion. RESULTS Elevated anxiety before the flood was associated with 2.49 (95% CI: 1.17, 5.26) increased odds of experiencing high levels of post-traumatic stress, regardless of whether respondents lived in a flood-risk community or not. Women who experienced damage to property, or who provided help to others, were more likely to perceive an increased sense of community cohesion (adjusted ods ratio (AOR): 1.67; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.54 and AOR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.52, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Women with underlying mental health conditions may be more vulnerable to the psychological impacts of a natural disaster regardless of their level of exposure. Natural disasters may bring communities together, especially those who were more tangibly impacted. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:470-477).
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