Cross sectional analysis of depression amongst Australian rural business owners following cyclone-related flooding

Mental health impacts from repeated climate disasters: an australian longitudinal analysis

Background

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense under changing climatic conditions. Whilst there is substantial evidence that exposure to a single weather related disaster is detrimental for mental health, few studies have explored how exposure to multiple disasters impacts mental health.

Methods

We utilised 11 waves of data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, yielding a sample of 16,629 observations from 2003 individuals. Fixed effects linear regression analysis was used to estimate the impact of experiencing multiple disasters on mental health. We tested for effect modification on this association by sex, rurality, employment and presence of a long-term health condition.

Findings

Exposure to multiple disasters was associated with a relative decrease in MHI-5 score compared to baseline by -1.8 points (95% CI -3.4, -0.3), whereas exposure to a single disaster was not associated with a decline in mental health scores. There was evidence of effect modification by employment status. Unemployed individuals had evidence of moderate reduction in MHI-5 scores when exposed to a single disaster (-4.3, 95% CI -7.0, -1.5).

Interpretation

Findings suggest that repeat exposure to disasters is associated with worsening mental health outcomes. As extreme weather events increase, these findings highlight the need for greater attention on climate change action, and mental health interventions targeting impacted populations.

Funding

Suicide Prevention Australia.

Psychological impact of the Spring 2019 flood among adult population of Iran

BACKGROUND

From March to April 2019, a flood occurred in several regions of Iran. The most affected provinces were Golestan, Lorestan, and Khuzestan.

AIMS

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of psychological distress and depression among the affected adult population 6 months after the event.

METHODS

A cross-sectional household survey with face-to-face interview was carried out on a random sample of 1,671 adults aged above 15 years living in the flood-affected areas from August to September 2019. We applied GHQ-28 and PHQ-9 for the assessment of psychological distress and depression, respectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of psychological distress and depression were 33.6% (95% CI [29.5, 37.7]) and 23.0% (95% CI [19.4, 26.7]), respectively. Determinants of psychological distress were a history of mental disorders (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.7), primary (AOR = 2.9) or high school (AOR = 2.4) education (vs. university), no compensation received (AOR = 2.1), high damage to assets (AOR = 1.8), the house flooded more than 1 m (AOR = 1.8), female gender (AOR = 1.8), and limited access to health care services (AOR = 1.8). Determinants of depression were unemployment (AOR = 5.3) or being a housewife (AOR = 2.7), a history of mental disorders (AOR = 4.1), high damage to assets (AOR = 2.5), no compensation received (AOR = 2.0), the house flooded more than 1 m (AOR = 1.8), limited access to health care services (AOR = 1.8), and high wealth index (AOR = 1.7).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study revealed a high prevalence of psychological distress and depression in the flood-affected adult population. The high-risk group, particularly flood victims who had a history of mental disorders, and those exposed to severe damages of flood, should be prioritized for screening, and mental health services.

Updated assessment of occupational safety and health hazards of climate change

Workers, particularly outdoor workers, are among the populations most disproportionately affected by climate-related hazards. However, scientific research and control actions to comprehensively address these hazards are notably absent. To assess this absence, a seven-category framework was developed in 2009 to characterize the scientific literature published from 1988-2008. Using this framework, a second assessment examined the literature published through 2014, and the current one examines literature from 2014-2021. The objectives were to present literature that updates the framework and related topics and increases awareness of the role of climate change in occupational safety and health. In general, there is substantial literature on worker hazards related to ambient temperatures, biological hazards, and extreme weather but less on air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, industrial transitions, and the built environment. There is growing literature on mental health and health equity issues related to climate change, but much more research is needed. The socioeconomic impacts of climate change also require more research. This study illustrates that workers are experiencing increased morbidity and mortality related to climate change. In all areas of climate-related worker risk, including geoengineering, research is needed on the causality and prevalence of hazards, along with surveillance to identify, and interventions for hazard prevention and control.

The impact of pre- and post-trauma financial problems on posttraumatic stress symptoms, anxiety and depression symptoms, and emotional support: A prospective population-based comparative study

Potentially traumatic events (PTEs) are associated with a higher risk of mental health problems and a lack of emotional support. The extent to which pre- and/or post-trauma financial problems further increase this risk, while controlling for pre-trauma mental health problems and lack of support and compared to nonvictims, is largely unknown. To better understand this risk, data was extracted from four surveys of VICTIMS study using the Dutch population-based longitudinal LISS-panel. Multivariate logistic regression analyses (MLRA) showed that nonvictims (n^{nonvictims total}=5003) with persistent financial problems (present at T1 and present at T2 one year later) more often suffered from severe anxiety and depression symptoms (ADS; Adjusted OR (aOR)= 1.72) and lack of emotional support (aOR=1.96) than nonvictims without these problems, and that victims of PTEs (n^{victims total}=872) with persistent financial problems more often suffered moderate ADS (aOR=2.10) than nonvictims with persistent financial problems. MLRA showed that victims with pre- and/or post-trauma financial problems were more at risk of probable PTSD than victims without financial problems (aORs ≥ 2.02). Victim services and (mental) health care professionals should screen for pre- and post-trauma financial problems and, when found, refer the victims to relevant professionals since these problems can significantly hinder recovery.

Climate-Related Natural Disasters: Reflections on an Agenda for Rural Health Research

The increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters will exacerbate the health inequities that already exist between people living in rural communities and those living in urban areas. There is a need to improve understanding of the differences in the impacts on and needs of rural communities, in order that policy, adaptation, mitigation, response and recovery efforts meet the needs of those who are most affected by flooding and who have the fewest resources to mitigate the impact and adapt to the increased flood risk. This paper is a reflection by a rural-based academic on the significance and experience of community-based flood-related research, with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities for research on rural health and climate change. From an equity perspective, there is a need for all analyses of national and regional datasets on climate and health to, wherever possible, examine the differential impacts and policy and practice implications for regional, remote and urban communities. At the same time, there is a need to build local capacity in rural communities for community-based participatory action research, and to enhance this capacity through building networks and collaborations between different researchers based in rural areas, and between rural- and urban-based researchers. We should also encourage the documentation, evaluation and sharing of experience and lessons from local and regional efforts to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change on health in rural communities.

Tourism operator mental health and its relationship with SME organisational resilience during disasters

Crises have a negative, and often long-lasting impact on mental health. The stress of dealing with the ongoing and unpredictable aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented rise in mental health problems including low mood, depression and anxiety. Tourism businesses have faced ongoing challenges, with repeated lockdowns and drastically reduced tourist numbers and mental health challenges faced by operators may impact the resilience of tourism organisations and vice versa. Few studies have examined this. Our study in Victoria, Australia documents the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on owners and managers (operators) of small to medium tourism businesses and explores organisational factors that may impact or protect operator mental health during the crisis. Our findings show that the mental health of the cohort reached critically low levels over the course of the pandemic. We also identify positive associations between tourism organisational resilience and operator mental health.