Interpersonal violence and mental health outcomes following disaster

Abstract

Background Disasters pose a documented risk to mental health, with a range of peri- and post-disaster factors (both pre-existing and disaster-precipitated) linked to adverse outcomes. Among these, increasing empirical attention is being paid to the relation between disasters and violence. Aims This study examined self-reported experiences of assault or violence victimisation among communities affected by high, medium, and low disaster severity following the 2009 bushfires in Victoria, Australia. The association between violence, mental health outcomes and alcohol misuse was also investigated. Method Participants were 1016 adults from high-, medium- and low-affected communities, 3–4 years after an Australian bushfire disaster. Rates of reported violence were compared by areas of bushfire-affectedness. Logistic regression models were applied separately to men and women to assess the experience of violence in predicting general and fire-related post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and alcohol misuse. Results Reports of experiencing violence were significantly higher among high bushfire-affected compared with low bushfire-affected regions. Analyses indicated the significant relationship between disaster-affectedness and violence was observed for women only, with rates of 1.0, 0 and 7.4% in low, medium and high bushfire-affected areas, respectively. Among women living in high bushfire-affected areas, negative change to income was associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing violence (odds ratio, 4.68). For women, post-disaster violence was associated with more severe post-traumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms. Conclusions Women residing within high bushfire-affected communities experienced the highest levels of violence. These post-disaster experiences of violence are associated with post-disaster changes to income and with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms among women. These findings have critical implications for the assessment of, and interventions for, women experiencing or at risk of violence post-disaster.

Bushfires, COVID-19 and the urgent need for an Australian Task Force on gender, mental health and disaster

“…The number of women seeking assistance from domestic violence services increased during the Australian bushfires and current COVID-19 pandemic, and the Federal Government has responded with substantial funding for the sector. The elevated prevalence of domestic violence associated with the Australian disasters is consistent with national and international evidence that violence against women increases after major disasters, including fires, floods, hurricanes or pandemics (Enarson and Chakrabarti, 2009;Molyneaux et al, 2020). Women's status is shaped by social and health inequalities including practices and policies that privilege male roles, perspectives and experiences.…”

COVID-19: urgency for distancing from domestic violence

“…Studies focusing on the impact of humanitarian crises and natural disasters on domestic violence have shown that the stress associated with these emergencies leads to an increase in VAWC (Molyneaux et al, 2019 ; Rubenstein, Lu, MacFarlane, & Stark, 2020 ; Seddighi, Salmani, Javadi, & Seddighi, 2019 ). In the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the confinement measures may have amplified this increased risk of VAWC.…”

Study Protocol for the COVID-19 Pandemic Adjustment Survey (CPAS): A Longitudinal Study of Australian Parents of a Child 0–18 Years

“…It is unknown what effect the combination of these risks may have on the population of parents. However, each of these factors have an evidence-base demonstrating potential risks to adult and child mental health and wellbeing (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). There is evidence showing increased risks of mental health problems, drug and alcohol use, and family violence during and after crisis events and disasters (5)(6)(7)17).…”

“…However, each of these factors have an evidence-base demonstrating potential risks to adult and child mental health and wellbeing (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). There is evidence showing increased risks of mental health problems, drug and alcohol use, and family violence during and after crisis events and disasters (5)(6)(7)17). Job loss, employment uncertainty, and difficulties in juggling work and family roles are associated with increases in parent mental health problems, couple conflict, and child mental health problems (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”