scholarly journals Responding to Disasters: More Than Economic and Infrastructure Interventions

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s70-s70
Author(s):  
David Crompton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Disaster

Introduction:Natural disasters confront individuals, communities, and governments with the challenge of rebuilding and addressing psychosocial sequelae. With the increasing number of natural disasters, it is pertinent to evaluate the efficacy of interventions and strategies to address the mental health needs of individuals and the community.Aim:The presentation will highlight the effectiveness of interventions post-disaster, and continued adverse outcomes five years post-event.Methods:An evaluation of literature related to the psychosocial impact of natural disasters, treatment efficacy, and government strategies to confront the social and psychological impact of natural disasters for the period 1983 – 2016 was undertaken.Results:Epidemiological studies following natural disasters, despite the use of differing psychological measures, demonstrate significant psychological morbidity – anxiety (7-42%), complicated grief (28-41%), depression (6.5-38%), post-traumatic stress disorder (11-89%), and substance misuse (1.3-24%). Intervention studies post-disaster demonstrate efficacy capability.Discussion:The increase in the number and impact of meteorological and hydrological events since the 1980s and the psychological, social, and economic consequences of these events have resulted in the development and implementation of government policies to confirm the immediate and long-term adverse outcomes. The focus is typically on resources and infrastructure redevelopment with less focus on social and mental health interventions, with long-term evaluation of interventions uncommon. The consequence of natural disasters emphasizes the importance of developing strategies to ensure effectively evaluated psychosocial interventions are available across at-risk communities.

Five-year Psychosocial Impact of Living in Post-Disaster Prefabricated Temporary Housing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Akaishi ◽  
Tomomi Suzuki ◽  
Harumi Nemoto ◽  
Yusuke Utsumi ◽  
Moe Seto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
The Other ◽  
Temporary Housing ◽  
Psychiatric Status ◽  
History Of ◽  
Psychosocial Conditions ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Post Disaster

Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the long-term impact of living in post-disaster prefabricated temporary housing on social interaction activities and mental health status. Methods: A total of 917 adult residents in a coastal town, whose residences were destroyed by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), were enrolled for the assessment held five years after the disaster. They answered questions about their experience and consequence of living in prefabricated temporary housing after the disaster. Their present scores on five types of self-reported measures regarding the psychosocial or psychiatric status and their present and recalled social interaction activities were cross-sectionally collected. Results: A total of 587 (64.0%) participants had a history of living in prefabricated temporary housing, while the other 330 (36.0%) had not. The prevalence of social interaction activities significantly decreased after the GEJE. However, the experience of living in prefabricated temporary housing did not adversely affect the subsequent social interaction activities or mental conditions of the participants five years after the disaster. Conclusions: Living in post-disaster prefabricated temporary housing may not negatively impact subsequent psychosocial conditions or social interaction activities five years later.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 44-54
Author(s):  
Julia Budzyńska ◽  
Magdalena Leśniewska ◽  
Ilona Kozioł ◽  
Joanna Milanowska
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of a coronavirus pandemic in 2019 posed a serious threat to the global population. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has not only been a public health emergency, but has also affected mental health worldwide. Patients were exposed to a number of significant stressors during COVID-19 infection by which it appears that it may have had a major impact on mental health. Little is known about changes in levels of psychological affect, stress, anxiety and depression during this pandemic.AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to analyze the most recent available literature on the association of pandemic COVID-19 with psychiatric disorders occurring both as a result of past infection and in response to stress associated with the new situation of a global epidemic of Sars-CoV-2 virus.RESULTS: The psychological effects of the epidemic are clearly noticeable. The study identified groups particularly vulnerable to developing symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Risk factors were also identified in people working in health care as having direct contact with the effects of infection with the new virus.SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Key elements of preventing psychological impact are the creation of a mental health organization. Another important task for governments is to create the conditions for economic security, as financial problems or job losses can also be the cause of mental crises.

scholarly journals Psychological well being toward adolescents in disaster-prone areas in Padang city

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 4301
Author(s):  
Helena Patricia ◽  
Chamy Rahmatiqa ◽  
Emira Apriyeni
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Background: Indonesia, particularly Padang City, West Sumatra, is a prone-area toward natural disasters related to geographical, geological and demographic conditions. Natural disasters give a very significant impact on physical, psychological and social. The psychological impact that most often appears in disaster cases is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). One who is prone to experiencing PTSD is adolescents. To prevent PTSD from occurring, good psychological well-being is needed. The factors that influence psychological well-being are religiosity, personality, coping strategies, self-concept and social support.Methods: This study is an analytical study with a cross sectional approach. This research was conducted in three disaster-prone districts in Padang City, namely North Padang, South Padang, and Koto Tangah. Data were collected through distributing questionnaires to 156 adolescents who were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed descriptively using univariate analysis, bivariate analysis with chi square test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results: The results of this study found that 85 respondents (54.5%) had low psychological well-being, 98 respondents (62.8%) had low religiosity, 108 respondents (69.2%) had introverted personality types, 105 respondents (67.3%) used emotional focused coping, 90 respondents (57.7%) had negative self-concept and 91 respondents (58.3%) had low family support. The results of the bivariate analysis found a relationship between religiosity (0.000), personality type (0.010), coping strategy (0.00), self-concept (0.035) and family support (0.04) toward psychological well-being.Conclusions: The results of the final multivariate modeling found that adolescents with negative self-concept had 12 times chance of having low psychological well-being in disaster-prone areas in Padang City.

scholarly journals Psychological and psychosocial interventions for refugee children resettled in high-income countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fazel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
High Income ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
General Mental Health ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Science Methodology

Large numbers of refugee children are arriving in high-income countries. The evidence to date suggests that they have mental health needs that are higher than for the general population and that these are exacerbated by the numbers of traumatic events they have experienced and the post-migration stressors they continue to be exposed to. The importance of a thorough and thoughtful assessment is discussed. Treatments of note are described for post-traumatic stress disorder, family functioning, general mental health problems and school environments. Future opportunities to operationalise outcome measures, develop multimodal interventions and utilise implementation science methodology are considered.

Reproductive and Mental Health during Natural Disaster

2015 ◽  
pp. 265-291
Author(s):  
Jasim Anwar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

With the ever-increasing number of natural disasters, it is important to understand the impact on the health and wellbeing of survivors, especially women. The reproductive and mental health of women contributes significantly to their overall wellbeing. The Chapter gives an overview of natural disasters with an emphasis on consequences of earthquakes of health and wellbeing of the survivors. It includes a critical review of published studies on psychological trauma and reproductive health following earthquake disasters. Among the psychological consequences of earthquakes, this chapter describes post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. The last section of this chapter reviewed reproductive health in relation to the mental health consequences following natural disasters.

Air Pollution as Risk Factor for Mental Disorders: In Search for a Possible Link with Alzheimer’s Disease and Schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Attademo ◽  
Francesco Bernardini
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Central Nervous System

As a global problem that has increasingly been causing worldwide concern, air pollution poses a significant and serious environmental risk to health. Risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as various types of cancer, have been consistently associated with the exposure to air pollutants. More recently, various studies have also shown that the central nervous system is also attacked by air pollution. Air pollution appears to be strongly associated with a higher risk of cognitive defects, neurodevelopmental (e.g., schizophrenia) and neurodegenerative (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease) disorders. Subjects with schizophrenia, as well as subjects with Alzheimer’s disease, experience a variety of neuropsychological deficits and cognitive impairments. This determines an adverse effect on social and professional functioning, and it contributes to the long-term disease burden. However, no final conclusions have been drawn on the matter of the direct relationship between schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. In recent years, the topic of urbanicity and mental health has become increasingly important. Urban exposure to environmental toxins and pollution is currently described as a reliable risk factor for schizophrenia and other psychoses, and it has been demonstrated more and more how exposure to air pollutants is associated with increased risk of dementia. Pathways by which air pollution can target and damage the brain, leading to an increased risk for developing schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease, are multiple and complex. Results from epidemiological studies suggest potential associations, but are still insufficient to confirm causality. Further studies are needed in order to verify this hypothesis. And if confirmed, the clinical implications could be of substantial relevance for both public and mental health.

Examining Long-Term Mental Health in a Rural Community Post-Disaster: A Mixed Methods Approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 284-302
Author(s):  
Lucy Annang Ingram ◽  
Chiwoneso B. Tinago ◽  
Bo Cai ◽  
Louisiana Wright Sanders ◽  
Tina Bevington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Post Disaster

Psychological well-being and risk perceptions of mothers in Kyiv, Ukraine, 19 years after the Chornobyl disaster

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 637-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard E. Adams ◽  
Lin T. Guey ◽  
Semyon F. Gluzman ◽  
Evelyn J. Bromet
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Epidemiologic Risk

Background: The Chornobyl nuclear power plant explosion in April 1986 was one of the worst ecological disasters of the 20th century. As with most disasters, its long-term mental health consequences have not been examined. Aims: This study describes the psychological well-being and risk perceptions of exposed women 19–20 years later and the risk factors associated with mental health. Methods: We assessed Chornobyl-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive episode (MDE) and overall distress among three groups of women in Kyiv, Ukraine ( N = 797): mothers of small children evacuated to Kyiv in 1986 from the contaminated area near the plant (evacuees); mothers of their children’s classmates (neighbourhood controls); and population-based controls from Kyiv. Risk perceptions and epidemiologic correlates were also obtained. Results: Evacuees reported poorer well-being and more negative risk perceptions than controls. Group differences in psychological well-being remained after adjustment for epidemiologic risk factors but became non-significant when Chornobyl risk perceptions were added to the models. Conclusions: The relatively poorer psychological well-being among evacuees is largely explained by their continued concerns about the physical health risks stemming from the accident. We suggest that this is due to the long-term, non-resolvable nature of health fears associated with exposure.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Associated with Disaster

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol S. North
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Operational Approach ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Disaster Trauma ◽  
Post Disaster

This chapter provides an overview of disaster-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The chapter begins by examining the special role that disasters have in contributing to our general understanding of PTSD. It further explores the critical roles played by both disaster trauma and exposure to it toward the development of PTSD, by applying nosology of the disorder and understanding the construction of criteria for its diagnosis. The chapter explains procedures and methods for assessment of disaster-related PTSD in individuals and in populations, reviews risk factors for PTSD after disasters, and describes the post-disaster course of PTSD. Finally, the chapter provides an operational approach with a mental health framework to address PTSD associated with exposure to disaster.

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