Mental Health Problems Among Adults in Tsunami-Affected Areas in Southern Thailand

Abstract

Among survivors of the tsunami in southern Thailand, elevated rates of symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression were reported 8 weeks after the disaster, with higher rates for anxiety and depression than PTSD symptoms. Nine months after the disaster, the rates of those reporting these symptoms decreased but were still elevated. This information is important for directing, strengthening, and evaluating posttsunami mental health needs and interventions.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Depressive Reaction among Resident Survivors after the Tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake, March 11, 2011

“…The prevalence of depressive reaction decreased along with the increase in the number of weeks from the tsunami. These results were consistent with previous studies [5] , [8] , [30] , and suggested that depressive reaction would diminish over time.…”

Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Mental Health Problems among the Survivors in the Flash Floods and Landslide in Southern Thailand

“…Psychological Distress in Flash Floods and Landslide in Southern Thailand Jiraporn SONPAVEERAWONG et al http://wjst.wu.ac.th Protective factors were social support provided, minor health problems and being of the female gender. This study is in line with previous studies that show the relationship between age and the prevalence of PTSD and depression such as a study in India which found that individuals over the age of 60 years had significantly higher scores for PTSD and depression compared to all other groups [30]; this was consistent with studies in China [1] and Thailand [31]. Previous studies also support that having a prior physical condition was related to the prevalence of PTSD [11,27,32], and psychological distress [26] after the flood.…”

Predictors of depressive symptoms following the Great East Japan earthquake: A prospective study

“…Our present study is consistent previous reports about the adverse mental health impacts of property damage and job loss; but our results concerning the loss of loved ones are somewhat surprising and unexpected (van Griensven et al, 2006; Zwiebach et al, 2010). The discrepancy may be due to differences in the age group of survivors.…”