An exploration of the trajectory of psychological distress associated with exposure to smoke during the 2014 Hazelwood coal mine fire

Due to climate change, catastrophic events such as landscape fires are increasing in frequency and severity. However, relatively little is known about the longer-term mental health outcomes of such events. Follow-up was conducted of 709 adults exposed to smoke from the 2014 Hazelwood mine fire in Morwell, Victoria, Australia. Participants completed two surveys evaluating posttraumatic distress, measured using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), three and six years after the mine fire. Mixed-effects regression models were used to evaluate longitudinal changes in distress. IES-R total scores increased on average by 2.6 points (95%CI: 1.2 to 3.9 points) between the two survey rounds, with increases across all three posttraumatic distress symptom clusters, particularly intrusive symptoms. This increase in distress was evident across all levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure to the mine fire smoke. Age was an effect modifier between mine fire PM2.5 exposure and posttraumatic distress, with younger adults impacted more by exposure to the mine fire. Greater exposure to PM2.5 from the mine fire was still associated with increased psychological distress some six years later, with the overall level of distress increasing between the two survey rounds. The follow-up survey coincided with the Black Summer bushfire season in south-eastern Australia and exposure to this new smoke event may have triggered distress sensitivities stemming from exposure to the earlier mine fire. Public health responses to disaster events should take into consideration prior exposures and vulnerable groups, particularly younger adults.

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The factors associated with distress following exposure to smoke from an extended coal mine fire

10.31234/osf.io/a82fm ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan Broder ◽

Caroline Xiaolei Gao ◽

Timothy Colin Heath Campbell ◽

Emily Berger ◽

Darryl Maybery ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Response Relationship ◽

Fire Event ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Individual Level ◽

Mine Fire ◽

Posttraumatic Distress ◽

Exposure Response ◽

Pm2.5 Exposure ◽

The Impact

In February 2014, the coalmine adjacent to the Hazelwood Power Station in the Latrobe Valley of Victoria, Australia, caught fire, with residents from the nearby town of Morwell and the wider area exposed to smoke for six weeks. Although there was evidence linking the mine-fire event with psychological distress, no studies have evaluated the degree of distress in relation to the level of smoke exposure. We aimed to investigate the exposure-response relationship between particulate matter 2.5μm or less in diameter (PM2.5) released during the Hazelwood mine fire event and long-term symptoms of posttraumatic distress in the affected community, including the consideration of other key factors. A total of 3,096 Morwell residents, and 960 residents from the largely unexposed comparison community of Sale, were assessed for symptoms of posttraumatic distress 2.5 years after the Hazelwood incident using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R). Individual-level PM2.5 exposure was estimated by mapping participants’ self-reported location data on modelled PM2.5 concentrations related to the mine fire. Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the exposure-response relationship. Both mean and peak exposure to mine fire-related PM2.5 were found to be associated with participant IES-R scores with an interaction effect between age and mean PM2.5 exposure also identified. Each 10 µg/m3 increase in mean PM2.5 exposure corresponded to a 0.98 increase in IES-R score (95% CI: 0.36 to 1.61), and each 100 µg/m3 increase in peak PM2.5 exposure corresponded to a 0.36 increase (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.67). An age-effect was observed, with the exposure-response association found to be stronger for younger adults. The results suggest that increased exposure to PM2.5 emissions from the Hazelwood mine fire event was associated with higher levels of psychological distress associated with the mine fire and the most pronounced effect was on younger adults living in the affected community.

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The relationship between exclusion from school and mental health: a secondary analysis of the British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Surveys 2004 and 2007

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329171700215x ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 629-641 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

T. Ford ◽

C. Parker ◽

J. Salim ◽

R. Goodman ◽

S. Logan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Psychiatric Disorder ◽

Health Surveys ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Adolescent Mental Health ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

BackgroundChildren with poor mental health often struggle at school. The relationship between childhood psychiatric disorder and exclusion from school has not been frequently studied, but both are associated with poor adult outcomes. We undertook a secondary analysis of the British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Surveys from 2004 and its follow-up in 2007 to explore the relationship between exclusion from school and psychopathology. We predicted poorer mental health among those excluded.MethodPsychopathology was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, while psychiatric disorder was assessed using the Development and Well-Being Assessment and applying Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM IV) criteria. Exclusion from school and socio-demographic characteristics were reported by parents. Multi-variable regression models were used to examine the impact of individual factors on exclusion from school or psychological distress.ResultsExclusion from school was commoner among boys, secondary school pupils and those living in socio-economically deprived circumstances. Poor general health and learning disability among children and poor parental mental health were also associated with exclusion. There were consistently high levels of psychological distress among those who had experienced exclusion at baseline and follow-up.ConclusionsWe detected a bi-directional association between psychological distress and exclusion. Efforts to identify and support children who struggle with school may therefore prevent both future exclusion and future psychiatric disorder.

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AGE, EXPERIENCE OF RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS, AND DISTRESS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2613 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S711-S712

Author(s):

Shayla Thompson ◽

Broderick Sawyer ◽

Suzanne Meeks

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Well Being ◽

Racial Microaggressions ◽

Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Anger Rumination ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Racial microaggressions are a common form of racial discrimination consisting of subtle or interpersonal slights. Racial microaggressions are linked to various kinds of psychological distress in younger adults, but have not been studied across the lifespan. We examined the relationship of racial microaggressions with psychological distress and anger rumination among younger and older adults identified as racial or ethnic minorities. We hypothesized that age would moderate the relationship between racial microaggressions and psychological distress and anger rumination, that is, the relationship would be weaker for older than for younger adults. Participants were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and were compensated $1 for their participation. Preliminary tests of the hypotheses (N=220), using multiple regression analyses to test for moderation, failed to support the hypothesis that age would mitigate the impact of microaggressions on symptom severity. Both age and microaggressions were related to psychological distress and anger rumination, but contrary to prediction, older adults showed more exacerbation of distress in the face of microaggressions than younger adults. The results also differed by gender and ethnic groups, suggesting the importance of examining intersectional experiences of race, gender, and age in response to discrimination. These cross-sectional findings lend support to the importance of considering both subtle and overt discriminatory experiences in understanding the mental health challenges for minority groups in the U.S., but more work is needed to examine the intersection of ethnicity with other demographic variables, and to understand how the lifelong experiences of discrimination may shape older adults’ vulnerability, well-being, and resilience.

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The Impact of Resilience and Extraversion on Psychological Distress, Loneliness, and Boredom During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Follow-Up Study Among the General Population of Tyrol, Austria

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.777527 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Franziska Tutzer ◽

Beatrice Frajo-Apor ◽

Silvia Pardeller ◽

Barbara Plattner ◽

Anna Chernova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

General Population ◽

Online Survey ◽

Short Form ◽

Negative Association ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Resilience Scale ◽

The Impact

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic and related measures represent an enormous burden on mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal changes in psychological distress, loneliness, boredom, and resilience over the course of the pandemic and to examine the associations between resilience and extraversion at baseline (summer 2020) and psychological distress, loneliness, and boredom at 5-month-follow-up.Methods: Residents of Tyrol (≥18a) completed an online survey on psychological distress, loneliness, boredom, resilience, and extraversion by using the Brief-Symptom-Checklist, the Three-Item Loneliness Scale, the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale-Short Form (MSBS-SF), the Resilience Scale, and the Extraversion subscale of the Big Five Inventory.Results: Of the 961 baseline participants, 384 took part in the follow-up survey. The percentage of study participants with striking psychological distress remained the same. Similarly, resilience did not change from baseline to follow-up, whereas the number of those experiencing moderate loneliness increased significantly. In contrast, at follow-up, severe loneliness was detected in significantly less people. Boredom decreased significantly over time. A moderate negative association was detected between baseline resilience and psychological distress, loneliness, and boredom at follow-up, and a weak but still significant negative association between extraversion and these outcomes.Discussion: These findings indicate that a subset of the general population consistently suffers from high levels of psychological distress and point to the protective effects of resilience and extraversion in this context. They reemphasize the importance of prevention and mitigation strategies to address these public health problems.

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Modeling the Impact of an Indoor Air Filter on Air Pollution Exposure Reduction and Associated Mortality in Urban Delhi Household

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16081391 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. 1391

Author(s):

Jiawen Liao ◽

Wenlu Ye ◽

Ajay Pillarisetti ◽

Thomas F. Clasen

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Indoor Air ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Personal Exposure ◽

Health Concern ◽

Air Filter ◽

Indoor Exposure ◽

Pm2.5 Exposure ◽

The Impact

Indoor exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a prominent health concern. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of long-term use of indoor air filters for reduction of PM2.5 exposure and associated decrease in adverse health impacts in urban India. We conducted 20 simulations of yearlong personal exposure to PM2.5 in urban Delhi using the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s CONTAM program (NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, USA). Simulation scenarios were developed to examine different air filter efficiencies, use schedules, and the influence of a smoker at home. We quantified associated mortality reductions with Household Air Pollution Intervention Tool (HAPIT, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA). Without an air filter, we estimated an annual mean PM2.5 personal exposure of 103 µg/m3 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 93, 112) and 137 µg/m3 (95% CI: 125, 149) for households without and with a smoker, respectively. All day use of a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter would reduce personal PM2.5 exposure to 29 µg/m3 and 30 µg/m3, respectively. The reduced personal PM2.5 exposure from air filter use is associated with 8–37% reduction in mortality attributable to PM2.5 pollution in Delhi. The findings of this study indicate that air filter may provide significant improvements in indoor air quality and result in health benefits.

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Depression symptoms as longitudinal predictors of the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in hypertensive patients

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96165-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marco D’Addario ◽

Francesco Zanatta ◽

Roberta Adorni ◽

Andrea Greco ◽

Francesco Fattirolli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Longitudinal Design ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

AbstractCOVID-19 has brought considerable changes and caused critical psychological responses, especially among frail populations. So far, researchers have explored the predictive effect of diverse factors on pandemic-related psychological distress, but none have focused on the impact of prior depression and anxiety symptomatology adopting an extended (10-year) longitudinal design. 105 patients aged over 60, affected by hypertension who participated in a previous longitudinal study were assessed through a follow-up telephone structured interview. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) were used for assessing depression and anxiety symptoms and the psychological impact of COVID-19, respectively. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. At the assessment, participants did not report clinically relevant depression, anxiety, and psychological pandemic-related distress symptoms. However, significant mean differences between baseline and current follow-up evaluations for both depression and anxiety were found, reflecting a decrease in symptomatology over time (p < .001). Baseline depression symptoms (β = 1.483, p = .005) significantly predicted the psychological impact of COVID-19 after 10 years. Conversely, their decrease (β = −1.640, p < .001) and living with others (β = −7.274, p = .041) significantly contributed to lower psychological distress scores. Our findings provide insight into the predisposing influence of depressive symptoms on pandemic-related psychological distress ten years later. Preventive interventions and strategies considering these factors are needed to better pre-empt the severe mental consequences of the pandemic.

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Psychological distress, fear and coping among Malaysians during the COVID-19 pandemic

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0257304 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. e0257304

Author(s):

Ahmed Suparno Bahar Moni ◽

Shalimar Abdullah ◽

Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Bin Abdullah ◽

Mohammed Shahjahan Kabir ◽

Sheikh M. Alif ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Well Being ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Suspected Case ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

And Coping ◽

Distress Scale ◽

The Impact

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has enormously affected the psychological well-being, social and working life of millions of people across the world. This study aimed to investigate the psychological distress, fear and coping strategies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors among Malaysian residents. Methods Participants were invited to an online cross-sectional survey from Aug-Sep 2020. The study assessed psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, level of fear using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and coping strategies using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to adjust for potential confounders. Results The mean age (±SD) of the participants (N = 720) was 31.7 (±11.5) years, and most of them were females (67.1%). Half of the participants had an income source, while 216 (30%) identified themselves as frontline health or essential service workers. People whose financial situation was impacted due to COVID-19 (AOR 2.16, 95% CIs 1.54–3.03), people who drank alcohol in the last four weeks (3.43, 1.45–8.10), people who were a patient (2.02, 1.39–2.93), and had higher levels of fear of COVID-19 (2.55, 1.70–3.80) were more likely to have higher levels of psychological distress. Participants who self-isolated due to exposure to COVID-19 (3.12, 1.04–9.32) and who had moderate to very high levels of psychological distress (2.56, 1.71–3.83) had higher levels of fear. Participants who provided care to a family member/patient with a suspected case of COVID-19 were more likely to be moderately to highly resilient compared to those who did not. Conclusion Vulnerable groups of individuals such as patients and those impacted financially during COVID-19 should be supported for their mental wellbeing. Behavioural interventions should be targeted to reduce the impact of alcohol drinking during such crisis period.

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Sub-Clinical Effects of Outdoor Smoke in Affected Communities

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031131 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1131

Author(s):

Thomas O’Dwyer ◽

Michael J. Abramson ◽

Lahn Straney ◽

Farhad Salimi ◽

Fay Johnston ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coal Mine ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Clinical Effects ◽

Prescribed Burns ◽

Wildfire Smoke ◽

Mine Fire ◽

Fine Particulate ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

Fire Smoke ◽

Coal Mine Fire

Many Australians are intermittently exposed to landscape fire smoke from wildfires or planned (prescribed) burns. This study aimed to investigate effects of outdoor smoke from planned burns, wildfires and a coal mine fire by assessing biomarkers of inflammation in an exposed and predominantly older population. Participants were recruited from three communities in south-eastern Australia. Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were continuously measured within these communities, with participants performing a range of health measures during and without a smoke event. Changes in biomarkers were examined in response to PM2.5 concentrations from outdoor smoke. Increased levels of FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) (β = 0.500 [95%CI 0.192 to 0.808] p < 0.001) at a 4 h lag were associated with a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 levels from outdoor smoke, with effects also shown for wildfire smoke at 4, 12, 24 and 48-h lag periods and coal mine fire smoke at a 4 h lag. Total white cell (β = −0.088 [−0.171 to −0.006] p = 0.036) and neutrophil counts (β = −0.077 [−0.144 to −0.010] p = 0.024) declined in response to a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5. However, exposure to outdoor smoke resulting from wildfires, planned burns and a coal mine fire was not found to affect other blood biomarkers.

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68Maternal exposure to PM2.5 from a severe smoke event and birth outcomes in Victoria, Australia

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyab168.432 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Shannon Melody ◽

Karen Wills ◽

Jane Ford ◽

Alison Venn ◽

Fay Johnston

Keyword(s):

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Fetal Growth ◽

Low Birthweight ◽

Transport Model ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Chemical Transport Model ◽

Mine Fire ◽

Southeastern Australia ◽

Pm2.5 Exposure ◽

Coal Mine Fire

Abstract Background The 2014 Hazelwood coal mine fire was an unprecedented six-week severe smoke event in the Latrobe Valley, southeastern Australia. We aimed to determine whether maternal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) attributable to the event was associated with adverse fetal growth or maturity, including birthweight, small for gestational age, term low birthweight or preterm birth. Methods A cohort of babies born within the affected region was defined used administrative perinatal data. Maternal average and peak PM2.5 was assigned to residential address at time of delivery using a chemical transport model. Maternal, infant, meteorological and temporal variables were included in final linear and log-binomial regression models. Results 3,591 singleton livebirths were included; 763 were exposed in utero. Average PM2.5 exposure was 4.4 µg/m3 (IQR 2.1 µg/m3); average peak was 45.0 µg/m3 (IQR 35.1 µg/m3). No association between PM2.5 and fetal growth or maturity was observed. Gestational diabetes mellitus was an effect modifier in the relationship; babies of exposed gestational diabetic mothers were 97 grams heavier per 10 µg/m3 increase in average PM2.5 exposure (95%CI 74, 120 grams), compared to mothers without gestational diabetes. Conclusions Maternal PM2.5 exposure from a smoke event was not associated with adverse fetal growth or maturity. There was a trophic response amongst babies of mothers with gestational diabetes. Key messages Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may be more susceptible to the effects of smoke events on birthweight.

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Mental health implications for older adults after natural disasters – a systematic review and meta-analysis

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610215001210 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 11-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Georgina Parker ◽

David Lie ◽

Dan J. Siskind ◽

Melinda Martin-Khan ◽

Beverly Raphael ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Natural Disasters ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Adjustment Disorder ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTBackground:Natural disasters affect the health and well-being of adults throughout the world. There is some debate in the literature as to whether older persons have increased risk of mental health outcomes after exposure to natural disasters when compared with younger adults. To date, no systematic review has evaluated this. We aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the impact of natural disasters on the mental health and psychological distress experienced by older adults.Design:A meta-analysis was conducted on papers identified through a systematic review. The primary outcomes measured were post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorder, and psychological distress.Results:We identified six papers with sufficient data for a random effects meta-analysis. Older adults were 2.11 times more likely to experience PTSD symptoms and 1.73 more likely to develop adjustment disorder when exposed to natural disasters when compared with younger adults.Conclusions:Given the global rise in the number of older adults affected by natural disasters, mental health services need to be prepared to meet their needs following natural disasters, particularly around the early detection and management of PTSD.

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