Psychological impairment in the wake of disaster: The disaster–psychopathology relationship.

Abstract

The present review examines the relationship between disaster occurrence and psychopathology outcome for 52 studies that used quantitative measures of such a relationship. Descriptive and inferential techniques were used to examine relationships among four sets of variables: (a) the characteristics of the victim population, (b) the characteristics of the disaster, (c) study methodology, and (d) the type of psychopathology. A small but consistently positive relationship between disasters and psychopathology was found. The distribution of effect-size estimates was significantly heterogeneous, and this heterogeneity was partially accounted for by methodological characteristics of the research. When controlling for methodology, victim and disaster characteristics also contributed variance to the disaster-psychopathology relationship. Implications for future research are outlined in view of these results.

Social and psychological resources and health outcomes after the World Trade Center disaster

“…Other studies show that the most consistent risk factors for poor physical and mental well-being among adult survivors in a population experiencing a communitywide disaster were intensity of exposure, being female, having a pre-existing psychological problem, having children in the home, and loss of social and psychological resources (Brewin et al, 2000;Bromet & Dew, 1995;Norris et al, 2002;Rubonis & Bickman, 1991). Rarely, however, have researchers closely examined how the social circumstances of survivors change due to the disaster and how these changes may mediate the effects of exposure on later well-being.…”

“…Although some researchers have contended that persons recover quickly from these experiences (e.g., McFarlane, 1988McFarlane, , 1989, reviews of disaster studies have concluded that large-scale community traumas can result in a significant increase in psychological problems in the short-term and can have significant negative physical and mental health consequences for years post-disaster (Brewin, Andrews, & Valentine, 2000;Bromet & Dew, 1995;Rubonis & Bickman, 1991).…”

Conséquences des inondations de juillet 1996 sur la santé psychologique et physique d'individus sinistrés âgés de 55 ans et plus vivant en milieu rural /

“…Les plus fréquemment recensés sont la nervosité, les peurs, les phobies, l'anxiété, la présence de manifestations dépressives, la colère, la culpabilité, les troubles du sommeil tels que les cauchemars et l'insomnie, la fatigue, l'hypertension ainsi que certains symptômes s'apparentant à l'état de stress post-traumatique (ÉSPT) (reviviscence de l'événement, hypervigilance, soubresauts, difficultés de concentration, hyperactivité, troubles de la mémoire, etc.) (Bolin, 1982;Crabbs & Heffron, 1981;Farberow, 1985;Gibbs, Green, & Winget, 1981;Green, 1991;Hartsough, 1982;Krug et al, 1998;Logue et al, 1981a;Madakasira & O'Brien, 1987;Meunier & Pierandrei, 1994;Norris et al, 2002;North et al, 1989;Rubonis & Bickman, 1991;Sharan, Chaudhary, Kavathekar, & Sexena, 1996;Shore, Tatum, & Vullmer, 1986, Shore, Vullmer, & Tatum, 1989Titchener & Kapp, 1976 (Norris et al, 2002;Shore et al, 1989;Voguei & Vernberg, 1993 Plusieurs études se sont également attardées à la durée des symptômes ressentis chez les individus à la suite des catastrophes. Certaines ont démontré que l'intensité de la plupart des symptômes ressentis chez les victimes atteint son apogée dans la première année suivant l'événement (Norris et al,, 2002) et va, par la suite, diminuer graduellement (Adams & Adams, 1984;Green, Grace, Lingy, Titchener, & Lindy, 1983;Murphy, 1986a;Parker, 1977;Phifer & Norris, 1989;Shore et al, 1986;Solomon & Green, 1992 ;Steinglass & Gerrity, 1990 ;Thompson, Norris, & Hanacek, 1993).…”

Alcohol Use, Mental Health Status and Psychological Well-being 2 Years After the World Trade Center Attacks in New York City

“…Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, respiratory aliments, cardiovascular conditions, and panic disorder have been commonly reported consequences of such disasters and mass trauma (1,6,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Researchers also have documented the increase in substance use in the aftermath of community disasters (7,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18).…”