Stress, coping, and mental health outcomes following a natural disaster: Bereaved family members and friends compared

AbstractThe experience of trauma could be considered a central event in one’s life, such that it could be a core component of one’s identity and life story. Indeed, trauma memories are well-remembered, vivid, intense, and easily accessible (Berntsen & Rubin, 2006). The present study investigated the mediating role of sensory-based trauma memory quality in the relationship between centrality of event and mental health outcomes among child and adolescent survivors of a natural disaster (N = 225) in its immediate aftermath. Results of mediation analyses revealed that centrality of trauma event is related to symptoms of acute stress disorder and depression through sensory-based trauma memory quality (indirect effect 95% C.I. [.06, .11] and [.04, .10], respectively). These findings support the contention that centrality of event is associated to heightened accessibility and vividness of sensory-based trauma memory quality, which in turn is related to an increase in trauma-related symptoms in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, where the reminders of trauma are particularly salient in the survivors’ environment and daily activities.

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Mental Health Outcomes of Family Members of Oregonians Who Request Physician Aid in Dying

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management ◽

10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2009.04.026 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 807-815 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Linda Ganzini ◽

Elizabeth R. Goy ◽

Steven K. Dobscha ◽

Holly Prigerson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Family Members ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Aid In Dying

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Long-Term Mental Health Outcomes in Mothers and Siblings of Children With Cancer: A Population-Based, Matched Cohort Study

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.19.01382 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 51-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jacqui van Warmerdam ◽

Rinku Sutradhar ◽

Paul Kurdyak ◽

Cindy Lau ◽

Jason D. Pole ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Childhood Cancer ◽

Family Members ◽

Population Based ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Affected Child ◽

Outpatient Visits ◽

Health Related

PURPOSE Although a diagnosis of childhood cancer can have a profound effect on the entire family unit, its impact on the long-term mental health of family members is not well characterized. METHODS A provincial childhood cancer registry in Ontario, Canada, was linked to birth records to identify separate population-based cohorts of mothers and siblings of children diagnosed with cancer between 1998 and 2014. The mother and sibling cohorts were matched to corresponding population controls and linked to health services data. The rate of mental health–related outpatient visits (family physician, psychiatrist) and the incidence of severe psychiatric events (psychiatric emergency department visit, psychiatric hospitalization, suicide) were compared between mothers and siblings and their controls. Possible predictors of mental health outcomes were examined, including demographics, characteristics of the cancer-affected child, and cancer treatment. RESULTS We identified 4,773 mothers and 7,897 siblings of children diagnosed with cancer during the study period. Compared with controls, both groups experienced elevated rates of outpatient visits (mothers: rate ratio [RR], 1.4; P < .0001; siblings: RR, 1.1; P < .0001). The risk of severe psychiatric events was not increased in either cohort. Mother and sibling demographic factors associated with increased risk of adverse mental health included younger maternal age at cancer diagnosis, low socioeconomic status, and rural residence among mothers and older sibling age among siblings. Treatment-related variables pertaining to the cancer-affected child were not associated with mental health outcomes. Mental health outcomes clustered within families. CONCLUSION Both mothers and siblings experience elevated and prolonged need for mental health–related health care as compared with the general population. Demographic risk factors predict subpopulations at highest risk. Increased psychosocial support for family members during and after cancer therapy is warranted.

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Women’s Mental Health and Intimate Partner Violence Following Natural Disaster: A Scoping Review

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x16000911 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (6) ◽

pp. 648-657 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sue Anne Bell ◽

Lisa A. Folkerth

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Natural Disasters ◽

Natural Disaster ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Partner Violence ◽

The United States ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Mental Health Outcomes

AbstractIntroductionSurvivors of natural disasters in the United States experience significant health ramifications. Women particularly are vulnerable to both post-disaster posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, and research has documented that these psychopathological sequelae often are correlated with increased incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV). Understanding the link between these health concerns is crucial to informing adequate disaster response and relief efforts for victims of natural disaster.PurposeThe purpose of this review was to report the results of a scoping review on the specific mental health effects that commonly impact women following natural disasters, and to develop a conceptual framework with which to guide future research.MethodsA scoping review of mental and physical health effects experienced by women following natural disasters in the United States was conducted. Articles from 2000-2015 were included. Databases examined were PubMed, PsycInfo, Cochrane, JSTOR, Web of Science, and databases available through ProQuest, including ProQuest Research Library.ResultsA total of 58 articles were selected for inclusion, out of an original 149 that were selected for full-text review. Forty-eight articles, or 82.8%, focused on mental health outcomes. Ten articles, or 17.2%, focused on IPV.DiscussionCertain mental health outcomes, including PTSD, depression, and other significant mental health concerns, were recurrent issues for women post-disaster. Despite the strong correlation between experience of mental health consequences after disaster and increased risk of domestic violence, studies on the risk and mediating factors are rare. The specific challenges faced by women and the interrelation between negative mental health outcomes and heightened exposure to IPV following disasters require a solid evidence base in order to facilitate the development of effective interventions. Additional research informed by theory on probable health impacts is necessary to improve development/implementation of emergency relief policy.BellSA, FolkerthLA. Women’s mental health and intimate partner violence following natural disaster: a scoping review. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(6):648–657.

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Mental Health Among Adolescents from Returned Portuguese Immigrant Families

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185/a000015 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 131-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Félix Neto

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Immigrant Families ◽

Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Control Group ◽

Older Adolescents ◽

The Mean ◽

Portuguese Adolescents

This study investigated mental health problems and their predictors among adolescents from returned immigrant families. The sample consisted of 360 returned adolescents (mean age = 16.8 years; SD = 1.9). The mean duration of a sojourn in Portugal for the sample was 8.2 years (SD = 4.5). A control group of 217 Portuguese youths were also included in the study. Adolescents from immigrant families reported mental health levels similar to those of Portuguese adolescents who have never migrated. Girls showed more mental health problems than boys. Younger adolescents showed fewer mental health problems than older adolescents. Adaptation variables contributed to mental health outcomes even after acculturation variables were accounted for. Implications of the study for counselors are discussed.

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