Psychosocial sequelae of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake: III. Role of vulnerability factors in post-disaster morbidity

1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. J. CARR ◽  
T. J. LEWIN ◽  
J. A. KENARDY ◽  
R. A. WEBSTER ◽  
P. L. HAZELL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase 1 ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Psychological Morbidity ◽  
Avoidance Coping ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Initial Exposure ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Dispositional Characteristics ◽  
Dispositional Factors ◽  
Post Disaster

Background. This paper examines the contributions of dispositional and non-dispositional factors to post-disaster psychological morbidity. Data reported are from the 845 participants in the longitudinal component of the Quake Impact Study.Methods. The phase 1 survey was used to construct dimensional indices of threat and disruption exposure. Subsequently, a range of dispositional characteristics were measured, including neuroticism, personal hopefulness and defence style. The main morbidity measures were the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and Impact of Event Scale (IES).Results. Dispositional characteristics were the best predictors of psychological morbidity throughout the 2 years post-disaster, contributing substantially more to the variance in morbidity (12–39%) than did initial exposure (5–12%), but the extent of their contribution was greater for general (GHQ-12) than for post-traumatic (IES) morbidity. Among the non-dispositional factors, avoidance coping contributed equally to general and post-traumatic morbidity (pr = 0·24). Life events since the earthquake (pr = 0·18), poor social relationships (pr =−0·25) and ongoing earthquake-related disruptions (pr = 0·22) also contributed to general morbidity, while only the latter contributed significantly to post-traumatic morbidity (pr = 0·15).Conclusions. Medium-term post-earthquake morbidity appears to be a function of multiple factors whose contributions vary depending on the type of morbidity experienced and include trait vulnerability, the nature and degree of initial exposure, avoidance coping and the nature and severity of subsequent events.

Psychosocial sequelae of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake: II. Exposure and morbidity profiles during the first 2 years post-disaster

1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. J. CARR ◽  
T. J. LEWIN ◽  
R. A. WEBSTER ◽  
J. A. KENARDY ◽  
P. L. HAZELL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Psychological Morbidity ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Initial Exposure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Post Disaster

Background. A sample of 1089 Australian adults was selected for the longitudinal component of the Quake Impact Study, a 2-year, four-phase investigation of the psychosocial effects of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. Of these, 845 (78%) completed a survey 6 months post-disaster as well as one or more of the three follow-up surveys.Methods. The phase 1 survey was used to construct dimensional indices of self-reported exposure to threat the disruption and also to classify subjects by their membership of five ‘at risk’ groups (the injured; the displaced; owners of damaged small businesses; helpers in threat and non-threat situations). Psychological morbidity was assessed at each phase using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Impact of Event Scale (IES).Results. Psychological morbidity declined over time but tended to stabilize at about 12 months post-disaster for general morbidity (GHQ-12) and at about 18 months for trauma-related (IES) morbidity. Initial exposure to threat and/or disruption were significant predictors of psychological morbidity throughout the study and had superior predictive power to membership of the targeted ‘at risk’ groups. The degree of ongoing disruption and other life events since the earthquake were also significant predictors of morbidity. The injured reported the highest levels of distress, but there was a relative absence of morbidity among the helpers.Conclusions. Future disaster research should carefully assess the threat and disruption experiences of the survivors at the time of the event and monitor ongoing disruptions in the aftermath in order to target interventions more effectively.

Psychosocial sequelae of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake: I. Community disaster experiences and psychological morbidity 6 months post-disaster

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. J. Carr ◽  
T. J. Lewin ◽  
R. A. Webster ◽  
P. L. Hazell ◽  
J. A. Kenardy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Gender Effects ◽  
Psychological Morbidity ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Post Disaster

SYNOPSISA stratified random sample of 3007 Australian adults completed a screening questionnaire 6 months after the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. Information was obtained on initial earthquake experiences and reactions, use of specific services, social support, coping strategies and psychological morbidity. This questionnaire was the first phase of the Quake Impact Study, a longitudinal project investigating the psychosocial impact of the earthquake. Two weighted indices of exposure were developed: a threat index, which measured exposure to injury or the possibility of injury; and a disruption index, which measured experiences of property damage, displacement and other losses. Levels of exposure to threat and disruption events were significant predictors of morbidity on both the General Health Questionnaire and Impact of Event Scale, as were coping style and gender. Effects of exposure to threat and disruption were largely additive, with higher exposure being associated with greater use of support services, higher perceived stressfulness and more severe psychological morbidity. Use of avoidance as a coping strategy, female gender, lower social support and being older were also associated with higher post-disaster psychological distress. It was estimated that 14·8% of the population was exposed to high levels of threat or disruption, of whom approximately 25% experienced moderate to severe psychological distress as a direct result of the disaster. It was further estimated that 18·3% of those exposed to high levels of threat were at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, representing approximately 2% of the city's adult population.

The construction and characteristics of an instrument to measure personal hopefulness

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. P. Nunn ◽  
T. J. Lewin ◽  
J. M. Walton ◽  
V. J. Carr
Keyword(s):  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Initial State ◽  
Symptom Index ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Initial Exposure ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
The Impact

SynopsisThis paper describes the construction, refinement and implementation of a self-administered measure of personal hopefulness, the Hunter Opinions and Personal Expectations Scale (HOPES). Initial state and trait versions of the HOPES instrument were utilized in three separate studies, comprising a medical student sample (N = 211), an adolescent male sample (N = 280) and a psychiatric hospital staff sample (N = 318). A revised 20-item, two factor, trait version of the scale was then utilized in a prospective, longitudinal investigation (N = 753) of the psychosocial sequelae of the earthquake which struck Newcastle (Australia) in December, 1989. Data from all four studies provide strong support for the HOPES instrument's construct, concurrent and predictive validity. Global personal hopefulness (GPH) was shown to be an enduring characteristic of individuals, with a test–retest correlation of r = +0·71 (over 64 weeks). The association between GPH and trait anxiety (r = −0·64) raised the possibility of redefining anxiety as hope under threat. The hope subscale (HS) and the despair subscale (DS) were moderately negatively correlated (r = −0·32), suggesting that hope and despair are not simply polar opposites. There were no gender differences in GPH scores, however, there were relatively clear age effects, with those aged 70 years and over reporting the lowest levels of personal hopefulness. GPH was negatively correlated with post-earthquake scores on the General Health Questionnaire (r = −0·33), the Impact of Event Scale (r = −0·33), the Beck Depression Inventory (r = −0·54) and the global symptom index from the SCL-90-R (r = −0·43). Overall, the contribution made by personal hopefulness to post-earthquake morbidity was equal to the contributions made by initial exposure to disruption and threat experiences.

scholarly journals Psychological Morbidity among Emergency Department Doctors and Nurses after the SARS Outbreak

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
KY Tham ◽  
YH Tan ◽  
OH Loh ◽  
WL Tan ◽  
MK Ong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Psychological Morbidity ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire ◽  
Doctors And Nurses

Objective To determine the psychological morbidity among emergency department (ED) doctors and nurses six months after the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak. Methods During the SARS outbreak from 13 March to 31 May 2003, the study ED was designated as Singapore's only screening centre for SARS and was closed to all other patients. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in November 2003. Doctors and nurses of the study ED who had patient contact during the outbreak were included. Data collected were demographics and responses to (a) Impact of Event Scale (IES) and (b) General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ 28). Scores were assigned to the responses whereby an IES score ≥26/75 or a GHQ 28 score ≥5/28 was indicative of post-event and psychiatric morbidity respectively. Results Thirty-eight out of 41 (92.7%) doctors and 58 out of 83 (69.9%) nurses responded. Fewer doctors reported post-event and psychiatric morbidity compared to nurses, with 5 (13.2%) doctors and 12 (20.7%) nurses scoring ≥26 on IES, 6 (15.8%) doctors and 12 (20.7%) nurses scoring ≥5 on GHQ 28. The doctors reported a median of 9.5 (range 0–47) on IES and 0 (range 0–11) on GHQ 28. The nurses reported a median of 15 (range 0–61) on IES and 1 (range 0–25) on GHQ 28. Conclusions Six months after SARS, the rates of post-event and psychiatric morbidity were relatively low among the study ED doctors and nurses. The results might have underestimated actual morbidity as the study was conducted six months after the outbreak.

Recovery from Post-Earthquake Psychological Morbidity: Who Suffers and who Recovers?

1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry J. Lewin ◽  
Vaughan J. Carr ◽  
Rosemary A. Webster
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Morbidity ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Psychosocial Effects ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Dispositional Coping ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
History Of ◽  
Post Disaster

Objective: We sought to identify the psychosocial characteristics of high earthquake exposure subjects that were associated with the development of post-disaster morbidity and with recovery. Method: Data reported are from 515 participants in a longitudinal study of the psychosocial effects of the 1989 Newcastle (Australia) earthquake. Subjects were allocated to three subgroups (low morbidity; recovered; and persistent morbidity) on the basis of their Impact of Event Scale scores across the four phases of the study. Differences between these subgroups were examined on a broad range of variables. Results: Several background, dispositional, coping style and exposure-related factors characterised those who developed psychological morbidity, only a small subset of which differentiated between those who recovered and those with persistent morbidity. Conclusions: Post-earthquake morbidity persists longer in those who are older, have a history of emotional problems, have higher neuroticism, use more neurotic defenses, and report higher levels of post-disaster life events.

Volunteers and professional rescue workers: Traumatization and adaptation after an avalanche disaster

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helga Arnfridur Haraldsdóttir, Cand Psych ◽  
Drifa Gudmundsdóttir, PhD ◽  
Eugenia Romano, MSc ◽  
Edda Björk Þórðardóttir, BA ◽  
Berglind Guðmundsdóttir, MSc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Rescue Workers ◽  
The Social ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To compare the degree of traumatization and adaptation in professional and volunteer rescue workers after two snow avalanches. Method: Questionnaires including demographic questions, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Rescue Workers Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Coping Styles Questionnaire were answered by rescue workers (n = 168).Results: In several areas, professional rescuers had stronger fears than volunteers, all the same, volunteers were significantly more anxious and met criteria for PTSD caseness more often than professionals.Conclusion: The findings suggest that voluntary rescue workers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms more often than professionals following demanding rescue missions.

scholarly journals Psychological Distress and Post-Traumatic Symptomatology among Dental Healthcare Workers in Russia: Results of a Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Sarapultseva ◽  
Alena Zolotareva ◽  
Igor Kritsky ◽  
Natal’ya Nasretdinova ◽  
Alexey Sarapultsev
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Stress Disorders ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection has increased the risk of mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), and healthcare workers (HCWs) are at greater risk than other occupational groups. This observational cross-sectional study aimed to explore the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among dental HCWs in Russia during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The survey was carried out among 128 dental HCWs from three dental clinics of Ekaterinburg, Russia. The mean age of the sample was 38.6 years. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21); PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Symptom Scale-Self-Report (PSS-SR); subjective distress was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). The results indicated that 20.3–24.2% HCWs had mild to extremely severe symptoms of psychological distress, and 7.1–29.7% had clinical symptoms of PTSD. No differences between females and males were revealed. HCWs working directly with patients had significantly higher levels of PTSD symptoms and the risk of PTSD development compared to those working indirectly, whereas older HCWs had significantly higher levels of both psychological distress and PTSD symptoms compared to younger HCWs. Thus, dental HCWs are at high risk for psychological distress and PTSD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Post-traumatic Growth: Longitudinal Study on Battered Women in Close Relationships after Both They and Their Partners Undergo Therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052199793
Author(s):  
Dorota Dyjakon ◽  
Beata Rajba
Keyword(s):  
Battered Women ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Polish Version ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

Violence in intimate relationships is a major problem worldwide. Many women, despite having experienced violence from a partner, decide to remain in a relationship with the perpetrator. A special premise for such a decision is that the abusive partner undertakes therapy that serves to build security in the family. An important indicator of dealing with violence is post-traumatic growth (PTG), a concept introduced by Calhoun and Tedeschi (1998) to describe positive changes as a result of traumatic experiences. The purpose of the research was to assess PTG changes in the course of relationships in which the woman had experienced violence from her partner, but both her partner and she had undertaken therapy and changed their behavior ( N = 48). The conducted research used a demographic survey and two questionnaires: The Polish version of the Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R, Weiss, Marmara prepared by Juczyński and Ogińska-Bulik [2009]) examining three dimensions of trauma (intrusion, hyperarousal, and avoidance) and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory ( Tedeschi & Calhoun [2004] ; Polish version prepared by Ogińska-Bulik & Juczyński [2010] ). The studies showed that over a period of one and half years, significant changes in PTG had taken place. Reportedly, changes in self-perception and changes in relating to others have decreased, while appreciation of life increased but spiritual life remained the same. The research also allowed us to distinguish several groups of corelates in changes in individual PTG categories. The studies also indicate that building a close relationship with the person who caused the harm can limit the victim’s PTG.

Adult separation anxiety in patients with complicated grief: relationship with post traumatic stress versus mood spectrum symptomatology

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 142-142
Author(s):  
C. Carmassi ◽  
C. Socci ◽  
M. Corsi ◽  
I. Pergentini ◽  
E. Massimetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Separation Anxiety ◽  
Complicated Grief ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionAround 9–20% of bereaved individuals experience symptoms of complicated grief (CG) associated with significant distress and impairment. Increasing research has been focused on identifying the distinctive set of psychiatric symptoms that characterize this condition with respect to major depression, corroborating the need to include this syndrome in the forthcoming DSM-V as a distinctive diagnosis. Vulnerability to CG has been rooted in attachment disturbances and authors reported that symptoms of separation anxiety in childhood should be considered as predictors of CG onset in adulthood.ObjectivesTo date no study explored symptoms of adult separation anxiety among patients with CG with respect to healthy control subjects (HC).AimsTo explore adult separation anxiety and mood spectrum symptoms in patients with CG with respect to HC.Methods53 patients with CG and 50 control subjects were recruited, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pisa. Assessments: SCID-I/P, the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the Mood Spectrum-Self Report (MOODS-SR) lifetime version.ResultsPatients with CG reported significantly higher scores on the MOODS-SR, ASA_27, IES and WSAS with respect to controls. The scores on the ASA_27 were more strongly associated with IES scores with respect to other scales.ConclusionsOur results suggest a correlation between adult separation anxiety and CG onset after the loss of a loved one in adulthood, with a possible correlation to a post-traumatic stress symptomatology. Further studies are needed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document