[Personal resilience and post-traumatic stress symptoms of local government employees: six months after the 2011 magnitude 9.0 East Japan Earthquake]

Do personal resilience, coping styles, and social support prevent future psychological distress when experiencing workplace bullying? Evidence from a 1-year prospective study

BACKGROUND

Although previous studies have identified that workplace bullying causes serious mental health problems to the victims, it is not yet fully investigated moderating factors on the association between workplace bullying and psychological distress. This longitudinal study, therefore, examined the moderating role of organizational resources such as supervisor support or coworker support as well as individual resources such as stress coping styles or personal resilience on the association.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study for 2036 civil servants was conducted with a one-year time lag (follow-up rate: 77.2%). At baseline, Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Brief Scales for Coping Profile, and Brief Job Stress Questionnaire were used to measure workplace bullying, personal resilience, stress coping styles, and social support, respectively. Psychological distress was measured using K6 both at baseline and follow-up.

RESULTS

The results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that workplace bullying was associated with subsequent increased psychological distress even after adjusting for individual and occupational characteristics, but its association disappeared after adjusting for psychological distress at baseline. After adjusting for psychological distress at baseline, greater resilience, greater seeking help, greater changing view, and lower avoidance were associated with lower subsequent psychological distress when being bullied. In contrast, worksite social support and family/friends support was not associated with lower subsequent psychological distress when being bullied. A significant interaction effect of workplace bullying and changing mood was observed on subsequent psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects or moderating factors were limited on the longitudinal association between bullying and mental health because psychological distress at baseline was the strongest predictor of subsequent psychological distress.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after the 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake in Piura, Peru: A Cross-Sectional Study

In Peru, major disasters like the 2007 Pisco earthquake have produced high rates of post-traumatic stress. However, evidence is still needed to strengthen interventions. In 2021, a major earthquake struck Piura, in northern Peru. In this context, we aimed to assess the prevalence of PTSD and its associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted during August-September 2021 in people who experienced the 6.1 Piura earthquake on 30 July 2021. The questionnaire included the PCL-C, CD-RISC, ISI, HFIAS, and additional demographic data. Generalized linear models were used. The prevalence of PTSD was 20.3%. Household income was between PEN 2001 and 3000 (PR = 4.26, 95% CI: 1.08-16.75), smoking (PR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.03-6.01), experience of a nervous breakdown (PR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.09-3.09), moderate food insecurity (PR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.10-7.73), and severe insomnia (PR = 8.25, 95% CI: 2.22-30.71) increased the prevalence of PTSD. One out of five individuals experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms after the 2021 earthquake in Piura, which varies depending on socioeconomic, psychosocial, and individual factors. Further research should strengthen these findings to ensure a fair and early mental health intervention against new seismic events in this and other Peruvian regions.

Mental Health Disturbance after a Major Earthquake in Northern Peru: A Preliminary, Cross-Sectional Study

Little has been studied in Peru on the mental health repercussions after a major earthquake. We aimed to explore the factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in people who experienced a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Piura, Peru, on 30 July 2021. A preliminary cross-sectional study was conducted in the general population between August–September 2021. An online questionnaire was provided using PHQ-9, GAD-7, and other relevant measures. Generalized linear models were applied. Of the 177 participants, the median age was 22 years, the majority were female (56%), and many experienced depressive (52%) or anxiety symptoms (52%). Presence of depressive symptoms was associated with a personal history of mental disorder, moderate housing damage, social/material support from politicians, moderate food insecurity, and insomnia. Presence of anxiety symptoms was associated with physical injury caused by the earthquake, mild food insecurity, and insomnia. The development of depressive and anxiety symptoms following the 2021 earthquake experienced in Piura depended on multiple individual and socioeconomic factors. Additional studies should reinforce the factors identified here given the methodological limitations, such as the study design, sampling method, and sample size. This would lead to effective intervention measures to mitigate the impact of earthquakes on mental health.

STRESS MANAGEMENT FOR DISASTER RECOVERY SUPPORT STAFF ASSISTING NUCLEAR DISASTER EVACUEES

The residents of Town A have been taking shelter in various parts of Japan ever since the accident of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The staff members carry out their tasks in seven locations across the country under a great stress with the limited manpower. This study reports the present situation of the stress management for the disaster recovery support staff helping the evacuees living outside the prefecture. The subjects were the 19 members. The T-scores were calculated from Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) by assessing their CISS before the mental health seminars commenced. There was a significant positive correlation between 'task-oriented coping' and 'avoidance-oriented coping' as well as 'task-oriented coping' and 'amusement'. Between the genders, the male subjects expressed a significantly higher 'amusement' value.

Training to improve resilience and coping to monitor PTSD in rescue workers

Background

Few studies focus on the role training has on rescue workers who are active as volunteers or actual workers in emergency situations such as an earthquake. In October 2016, a strong earthquake hit Central Italy and in particular the province of Macerata in the Marche region. Lots of rescuers were called to deal with the emergency. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine their preparation, studying resilience and coping strategies, as these qualities can protect against complications brought on by traumatic situations (post traumatic stress disorder).

Study design

An observational study on 70 rescue workers who active in the area affected by the disaster within the province of Macerata was carried out.

Materials and methods

The questionnaire proposed by the Coping Inventory for Stressful situations (CISS) was used, while individual resilience levels were measured with the Resilience Scale. Both methods were employed in two separate interviews conducted before and after their intervention in the disaster area. To verify a possible difference between the resilience and coping values before and after the activity of rescue effort, the paired Student t test was applied.

Results

The sample showed medium to high levels of coping (91.6%) and resilience (89.6%) were present in both interviews and not significant statistical differences was observed for the resilience (among females t = 1.63, p-value = 0.179, and among males (t = -0.76; p-value = 0.487). In contrast, CISS scores before and after the rescue effort showed significant statistical differences both among females (t = 4.81; p-value = 0.009) and males (t = 10.06; p-value = 0.001).

Some areas relative to coping mechanisms, such as social avoidance and distraction are preferred by women, while men prefer avoidance and task-oriented activity. Results for resilience show a slight difference for perseverance in men.

Conclusions

The ability to use mechanisms of self-preservation like coping and resilience helps rescue workers to better respond in emergency situations. Surely one of the most appropriate ways to reach this result is provided by their preparation.

Predicting patterns of disaster-related resiliency among older adult Typhoon Haiyan survivors

Reported natural disasters are steadily increasing, yet there is limited previous research explicitly exploring the predictors of disaster resiliency among older people from typhoon-hit provinces. This study examined the relationships between life satisfaction, attitude, spirituality and locus of control towards resiliency among older adult Typhoon Haiyan survivors. A descriptive correlational design was conducted among these survivors in the Eastern Philippines. Standard multiple linear regression analysis was used in the study. The findings indicated that spirituality and attitude were significant predictors of the survivors' resiliency. The spirituality and positive attitudes of the older adults were associated with disaster resiliency among the typhoon survivors. Thus, the findings suggest the need for nurse gerontologists to promote spirituality and encourage positive attitudes among older adults.

Mental Health Problems in a Community After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake caused a tsunami and led to the collapse of the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, thus severely damaging the surrounding area.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted in March 2015 with the following objectives: (1) to clarify the type, severity, and prevalence of mental health problems in the areas affected by the disaster, (2) to investigate trends in mental health problems over time, (3) to reveal demographic and socio-environmental characteristics associated with the post-disaster risk for developing mental health problems, and (4) to examine the impact of this natural disaster on the mental health of people in Fukushima.

RESULTS

Forty-two papers were included in this review. The reported prevalence of posttraumatic stress reaction exceeded 10% in all studies. While some longitudinal studies observed an improvement in posttraumatic stress reaction over time, none reported a decrease in depression. Most risk factors for mental health problems were related to resettlement of daily lives, preexisting illnesses, and social networks. Overall, the reported prevalence of posttraumatic stress reaction seemed to be higher in Fukushima than in other affected areas.

CONCLUSION

Given that some mental health problems had not improved even two years after the disaster occurred, long-term mental health support is required for people in the affected area. Our finding that mental health problems seemed to be more severe in residents of Fukushima than among those in other areas suggests that residents in this prefecture require special care.

Noncommunicable Diseases After the Great East Japan Earthquake: Systematic Review, 2011-2016

OBJECTIVE

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including mental disorders, have become major threats to human health worldwide. People with NCDs are particularly vulnerable to disasters. We systematically reviewed reports describing studies of NCDs at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) to clarify the circumstances of people with NCDs and to build strong measures to support them.

METHODS

Relevant articles published from March 2011 through December 2016 were collected by searching the PubMed database (National Library of Medicine). We specifically examined reports describing NCDs and including the key words "East Japan Earthquake." NCDs included every disease type aside from injury and infectious disease.

RESULTS

We collected 160 relevant articles, 41 of which described NCDs that existed in residents before the GEJE. Articles describing respiratory diseases and mental illnesses were found most frequently. Interruption of regular treatment was the most frequent problem, followed by lack of surveillance capacity. We found 101 reports describing NCDs that had developed after the GEJE, of which 60% were related to mental health issues.

CONCLUSIONS

NCDs pose major health issues after large-scale disasters. Establishment of strong countermeasures against interruption of treatment and surveillance systems to ascertain medical needs for NCDs are necessary to prepare for future disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 396-407).

The impact of work-related physical assaults on mental health among Japanese employees with different socioeconomic status: The Japan Work Stress and Health Cohort Study (JSTRESS)

Background

Work-related physical assaults or violence has severely impacted on the safety of the work environment and employees’ mental health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of physical assaults, the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on it and depression associated with it in employees working at large companies.

Methods

A total of 22,770 Japanese employees responded to a self-administered questionnaire including SES (educational status and occupational status), violence victimization, worksite social support and depression (response rate, 85%). The 12-month prevalence of physical assaults and depression was examined using a single question and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, respectively.

Results

The prevalence of physical assaults was 1.8% both in males and females. Although the risk of exposure to physical assaults was 2–3 times higher in the blue-collar group than in the manager group, the association of exposure to physical assaults with depression was stronger in the manager and white-collar worker group (Prevalence ratio [PR]=2.1 in males; 1.8 in females) than in the blue-collar worker group (PR=1.7 in males; 1.5 in females) after adjusting demographic and occupational covariates. A similar pattern was observed for education in males; the association was stronger than in the lower education group (PR=2.1 and 1.8).

Conclusions

Low SES is a risk factor of exposure to physical assaults, however, the association of physical assaults with depression was significantly greater among company employees of higher SES than those of lower SES.

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1.8% of Japanese employees experience physical assaults during working time.

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Employees with low SES are at high risk for exposure to physical assaults.

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The impact of violence on depression is greater among employees with high SES.