Coping styles and mental health outcomes of community members affected by black summer 2019–20 bushfires in Australia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate coping styles, posttraumatic stress, and mental health symptoms among a sample of community members affected by 2019–20 Australian bushfires. Using a convenience sampling approach, an online survey was used to assess a range of coping strategies, posttraumatic stress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among the affected community members of Black Summer bushfires. The results revealed that study participants reported moderate symptoms of depression and stress, and severe levels of anxiety. Additionally, participants reported use of both approach and avoidance coping strategies following the bushfire event as well as experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress, such as having intrusive thoughts and symptoms of avoidance and hyperarousal. Despite the durability of many individuals, others remain affected by the event and there is evidence there may be longer term mental health consequences of the bushfires for some people. Given these findings, it is imperative that mental health services be readily available for people in the bushfire‐affected areas. Mental health nurses have an important role to play in supporting individuals affected by disasters. Awareness of the short‐ and long‐term impacts of disasters on the mental health of people is paramount for mental health nurses.

Predictors of individual mental health and psychological resilience after Australia’s 2019–2020 bushfires

“…In line with other disaster research (Bryant et al, 2021; Usher et al, 2022), we provide further evidence that experiencing bushfire increases risk of psychological distress. As disasters become more frequent and extreme, robust policy and practice to support disaster resilience is essential, particularly given the immense pressure that mental health systems are currently experiencing (American Psychological Association [APA], 2022).…”

“…Age and higher PTSD symptoms predicted fewer positive resilience characteristics 5 years after the Canadian Fort McMurray Wildfire (Adu et al, 2022). In the year following the 2019–2020 Australian bushfires, high levels of psychological distress were recorded (Usher et al, 2022), but predictors have not yet been identified.…”

Psychosocial resources underlying disaster survivors’ posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories: insight from in-depth interviews with mothers who survived Hurricane Katrina

“…In contrast, avoidant coping strategies (e.g. drug and alcohol use to reduce stress) have been associated with higher psychological distress after a disaster (Usher et al, 2022 ). Yet, the role of psychosocial resources in shaping post-disaster mental health, especially in the long-term aftermath of disasters, remains understudied.…”

Bushfire Smoke and Children’s Health—Exploring a Communication Gap

“…PM 2.5 and ground-level ozone (O 3 ) exposure accounted for an estimated 250 excess deaths and 3490 hospitalizations in New South Wales and Victoria [11]. There were also substantial mental health impacts associated specifically with the smoke, including anxiety, depression, stress, and post-traumatic distress [12,13]. These health and wellbeing effects were magnified in children, especially those in vulnerable communities [14,15].…”