Prevalence Rates and Correlates of Probable Major Depressive Disorder in Residents of Fort McMurray 6 Months After a Wildfire

Agyapong, Vincent Israel Opoku; Juhás, Michal; Brown, Matthew; Omege, Joy; Denga, Edward; Nwaka, Bernard; Akinjise, Idowu; Corbett, Sandra; Hrabok, Marianne; Li, Xinmin; Greenshaw, Andrew J.; Chue, Pierre

doi:10.1007/s11469-018-0004-8

Cited by 28 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The same applies to the current level of major depression in Canada, which may be four times higher than before the pandemic [23]. For a better comparison, the actual estimated prevalence of generalized anxiety and major depression among Canadian adults may be similar to, if not higher than, that observed in the community of Fort McMurray (Canada) six months after the devastating 2016 wildfires (19.8% and 14.8%, respectively [24,25]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

One Virus, Four Continents, Eight Countries: An Interdisciplinary and International Study on the Psychosocial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adults

Généreux

Schluter

Hung

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought about several features that increased the sense of fear and confusion, such as quarantine and financial losses among other stressors, which may have led to adverse psychosocial outcomes. The influence of such stressors took place within a broader sociocultural context that needs to be considered. The objective was to examine how the psychological response to the pandemic varied across countries and identify which risk/protective factors contributed to this response. An online survey was conducted from 29 May 2020–12 June 2020, among a multinational sample of 8806 adults from eight countries/regions (Canada, United States, England, Switzerland, Belgium, Hong Kong, Philippines, New Zealand). Probable generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression episode (MDE) were assessed. The independent role of a wide range of potential factors was examined using multilevel logistic regression. Probable GAD and MDE were indicated by 21.0% and 25.5% of the respondents, respectively, with an important variation according to countries/regions (GAD: 12.2–31.0%; MDE: 16.7–32.9%). When considered together, 30.2% of the participants indicated probable GAD or MDE. Several factors were positively associated with a probable GAD or MDE, including (in descending order of importance) weak sense of coherence (SOC), lower age, false beliefs, isolation, threat perceived for oneself/family, mistrust in authorities, stigma, threat perceived for country/world, financial losses, being a female, and having a high level of information about COVID-19. Having a weak SOC yielded the highest adjusted odds ratio for probable GAD or MDE (3.21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.73–3.77). This pandemic is having an impact on psychological health. In some places and under certain circumstances, however, people seem to be better protected psychologically. This is a unique opportunity to evaluate the psychosocial impacts across various sociocultural backgrounds, providing important lessons that could inform all phases of disaster risk management.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

One Virus, Four Continents, Eight Countries: An Interdisciplinary and International Study on the Psychosocial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adults

Généreux

Schluter

Hung

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The respondents were asked directly if they had every been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, depressive disorder or PTSD in order to assess pre-wildfire self-reported prevalence rates of these disorders in the population. The data collection tool had been previously used to collect data from a large number of residents six months after the wildfires and further details are provided in related publications (11,12). The PHQ 9, GAD-7 and the PTSD Checklist for DSM 5 were used to assess the presence or absence of likely MDD, GAD and PTSD respectively in respondents.…”

Section: Data Collection and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Natural disasters such as wildfires are often a significant cause of destruction of property, physical injury, and death. However, the mental health challenges associated with natural disasters is significant (9)(10)(11)(12). With the severity of wildfire disasters increasing progressively over the past 200 years, the literature is now demonstrating that approximately two thirds of survivors have feared for their life, with later screenings showing an increased prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (13).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Term Mental Health Effects of a Devastating Wildfire Are Amplified by Socio-Demographic and Clinical Antecedents in Elementary and High School Staff

Agyapong

Ritchie²,

Brown

et al. 2020

Front. Psychiatry

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: To assess the likely prevalence rates of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in staff of Fort McMurray School Districts eighteen months after a May 2016 wildfire, and to determine possible predictors. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was used to collect data through selfadministered online questionnaires to determine likely MDD, GAD and PTSD using well validated self-report questionnaires. Results: Of 1,446 staff who were sent the online survey link in an e-mail, 197 completed the survey, of which there were 168 females (85%) and 29 males (15%). The one-month prevalence rates for likely MDD, GAD and PTSD among the school staff were 18.3, 15.7 and 10.2% respectively. There were statistically significant associations between multiple socio-demographic and clinical variables likely MDD, GAD and PTSD among respondents. Conclusion: Knowledge of key factors for MDD, GAD and PTSD may be helpful for policy makers when formulating population level social and clinical programs, to mitigate the mental health effects of future natural disasters.

show abstract

“…• Adequate clinical applications [98] • Diagnostically accurate estimate of prevalence [99] • May not be culturally sensitive to…”

Section: Pss-sr N/a N/a Ptcimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Georgian population [88,89] • Self-report measure, not diagnostic [98][99][100][101][102][103] • Conducting survey in-person for illiterate participants may skew results [104] • Adults affected by conflicts in Georgia [88,89] • Women displaced by Hurricane Katrina [98] • Galveston Bay survivors of Hurricane Ike [100] • Survivors of the 2016 Fort McMurray, Canada wildfire [99] • 2009 Australia bushfire disaster [101] • Workers who experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake [102,103] • Survivors with spinal cord injury from the 2015 Nepal earthquake [104] Language(s):…”

Section: Pss-sr N/a N/a Ptcimentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring mental health burden in humanitarian settings: a critical review of assessment tools

Moore

Loenhout

Almeida

et al. 2020

Global Health Action

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The effects of disasters and conflicts are widespread and heavily studied. While attention to disasters' impacts on mental health is growing, mental health effects are not well understood due to inconsistencies in measurement. Objective: The purpose of this study is to review mental health assessment tools and their use in populations affected by disasters and conflicts. Method: Tools that assess posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, substance use disorder, and general mental health were examined. This review began with a search for assessment tools in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. Next, validation studies for the tools were obtained through snowball sampling. A final search was conducted for scientific studies using the selected tools in humanitarian settings to collect the data for analysis. The benefits and limitations described for each tool were compiled into a complete table. Results: Twelve assessment tools were included, with 88 studies using them. The primary findings indicate that half of the studies used the Impact of Events Scale-Revised. The most common limitation discussed is that self-report tools inaccurately estimate the prevalence of mental health problems. This inaccuracy is further exacerbated by a lack of cultural appropriateness of the tools, as many are developed for Western contexts. Conclusion: It is recommended that researchers and humanitarian workers reflect on the effectiveness of the mental health assessment tool they use to accurately represent the populations under study in emergency settings. In addition, mental health assessment should be coupled with action.

show abstract

Prevalence Rates and Correlates of Probable Major Depressive Disorder in Residents of Fort McMurray 6 Months After a Wildfire

Cited by 28 publications

References 30 publications

One Virus, Four Continents, Eight Countries: An Interdisciplinary and International Study on the Psychosocial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adults

One Virus, Four Continents, Eight Countries: An Interdisciplinary and International Study on the Psychosocial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adults

Long-Term Mental Health Effects of a Devastating Wildfire Are Amplified by Socio-Demographic and Clinical Antecedents in Elementary and High School Staff

Measuring mental health burden in humanitarian settings: a critical review of assessment tools

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About