Impact of type of reconstructed residence on social participation and mental health of population displaced by disasters

Abstract

After disasters, people are often forced to reconstruct or move to new residences. This study aimed to reveal the association between the types of reconstructed residences and psychosocial or psychiatric conditions among the population. A total of 1071 adult residents in a coastal town, whose houses were destroyed by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, enrolled in the study five years after the disaster. The type of reconstructed post-disaster residences (reconstructed on the same site/disaster-recovery public condominium/mass-translocation to higher ground/privately moving to remote areas) and the current psychosocial indicators were investigated. The results revealed that individuals living in public condominiums showed significantly worse scores on the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (p < 0.0001) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (p < 0.0001), and slightly worse scores on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (p = 0.035) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (p = 0.028). Lower psychosocial indicator scores in the public condominium group were more remarkable in younger adults aged < 65 years. Insomnia evaluated using the Athens Insomnia Scale was not different among the four residential types. In summary, residents moving into disaster-recovery public condominiums are likely to have less social interaction, be more depressed, and may need additional interventions.

Lessons learned from psychosocial support and mental health surveys during the 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake: Establishing evidence‐based disaster psychiatry

“…The studies suggested associations between psychological distress and physical conditions among residents affected by the disaster 47–49 . Like other affected areas, living conditions, 43,50,51 employment status, 46 daily walking habit 45 and social capital 44 were associated with the mental health of the affected community.…”

Specifying evacuation return and home-switch stability during short-term disaster recovery using location-based data

“…During disasters, people may evacuate to escape life-threatening circumstances. Persons severely impacted by disasters who fail to evacuate may incur physical health issues as well as long-term mental health problems 11 – 13 . Houses damaged by the disaster may need repair before they are again inhabitable, forcing residents to relocate until their homes are inhabitable.…”

Specifying Evacuation Return and Home-switch Stability During Short-term Disaster Recovery Using Location-based Data

“…During disasters, people may evacuate to escape life-threatening circumstances. Persons severely impacted by disasters who fail to evacuate may incur physical health issues as well as long-term mental health problems (Few, 2013;Lane et al, 2013;Suzuki et al, 2021). Houses damaged by the disaster may need repair before they are again inhabitable, forcing residents to relocate until their homes are inhabitable.…”