Psychosocial considerations for mass decontamination

Lemyre, Louise; Johnson, Colleen; Corneil, Wayne

doi:10.1093/rpd/ncq273

Cited by 18 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…A study of Hurricane Sandy found that social media use predicts higher stress levels than traditional media use (Goodwin, Palgi, Hamama-Raz, & Ben-Ezra, 2013). Compared to traditional media that provide 'objective' information about disasters, social media may have a more direct and personal impact on people owing to the type of content being shared (Lemyre, Johnson, & Corneil, 2010). But is engagement with traditional and new media associated with PTSD following community-wide natural disasters?…”

Section: Media Use and Disastersmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between disaster exposure and media use on post-traumatic stress disorder following Typhoon Hato in Macao, China

Hall

Xiong

Yip

et al. 2019

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background: Direct exposure to natural disasters and related losses are associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is less clear whether indirect media exposure is associated with PTSD.Objective: This study investigated key exposure-related risk factors for PTSD and examined the effect of media exposure on the prevalence of disaster-related PTSD.Method: Typhoon Hato directly hit Macao on 23 August 2017. It was one of the most serious natural disasters ever to strike southern China. One month after the event, 1876 Chinese university students in Macao were recruited into a cross-sectional study (mean age 20.01 years, SD = 2.63; 66.2% female). Self-reported typhoon exposure, media use and exposure to disaster-related content, and PTSD symptoms were collected using an electronic survey. Univariable analyses assessed associations between risk factors and PTSD, which were then included in a series of multivariable logistic regressions.Results: The prevalence of PTSD was 5.1%. Adjusted models demonstrated that being male (vs female) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–2.63], home damage (aOR = 2.86, 95% CI 1.71–4.78), witnessing people injured (aOR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.36–4.00), and almost drowning during the storm (aOR = 8.99, 95% CI 1.92–41.99) were associated with PTSD. After adjusting for direct exposure, indirect exposure to disaster-related social media content, including information related to drowning victims (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.00–1.67) and residents’ emotional reactions (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.44–2.72), was associated with PTSD. Viewing more information about the storm itself (aOR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.28–0.49) and images of heroic acts (aOR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.55–0.94) were significantly associated with lower odds of PTSD.Conclusion: These findings add to the literature demonstrating that some types of media use and certain media content following a natural disaster are associated with PTSD.

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Section: Media Use and Disastersmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between disaster exposure and media use on post-traumatic stress disorder following Typhoon Hato in Macao, China

Hall

Xiong

Yip

et al. 2019

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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“…To make sure this information reaches the public (how), a vast amount of recommendations deals with actions authorities should take before, during, and shortly after an event and, in the long term ( Ritchie et al, 2004). Before an event, it is advised first to prepare a strong and proactive risk communication strategy that integrates public risk perspectives ( Hall et al, 2004, Lemyre et al, 2010b, Noy, 2004, Oordt, 2006and Rubin et al, 2012Tinker and Vaughan, 2004and Wodarski, 2004. Second, pre-event communication on CBRN agents helps people to make well-informed judgements rather than adopting spontaneous precautionary actions that may not produce optimal health outcomes ( Pastel andRitchie, 2006 andSheppard et al, 2006).…”

Section: Categorisation Of Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Second, pre-event communication on CBRN agents helps people to make well-informed judgements rather than adopting spontaneous precautionary actions that may not produce optimal health outcomes ( Pastel andRitchie, 2006 andSheppard et al, 2006). It takes out the mystery of microorganisms and enhances a sense of self-efficacy, mastery, shared expectations and preparedness Lemyre et al, 2010b). However, Rubin et al (2012) warn that it is difficult to find a naturally occurring moment that people become receptive to pre-event information.…”

Section: Categorisation Of Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychosocial care to affected citizens and communities in case of CBRN incidents: A systematic review

Gouweloos¹,

Dückers²,

Brake³

et al. 2014

Environment International

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Disasters are associated with a substantial psychosocial burden for affected individuals (including first responders) and communities. Knowledge about how to address these risks and problems is valuable for societies worldwide. Decades of research into post-disaster psychosocial care has resulted in various recommendations and general guidelines. However, as CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) events form a distinctive theme in emergency planning and disaster preparedness, it is important to systematically explore their implications for psychosocial care. The aim of this study is to answer two questions: 1). To what extent does psychosocial care in the case of CBRN events differ from other types of events? 2). How strong is the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of psychosocial care interventions in the context of a CBRN event? A systematic literature review was conducted. Searches were performed in Medline, PsychINFO, Embase and PILOTS. Studies since January 2000 were included and evaluated by independent reviewers. The 39 included studies contain recommendations, primarily based on unsystematic literature reviews, qualitative research and expert opinions. Recommendations address: 1) public risk- and crisis communication, 2) training, education and exercise of responders, 3) support, and 4) psychosocial counselling and care to citizens and responders. Although none of the studies meet the design criteria for effectiveness research, a substantial amount of consensus exists on aspects relevant to CBRN related psychosocial care. Recommendations are similar or complementary to general post-disaster psychosocial care guidelines. Notable differences are the emphasis on risk communication and specific preparation needs. Relevant recurring topics are uncertainty about contamination and health effects, how people will overwhelm health care systems, and the possibility that professionals are less likely to respond. However, the lack of evidence on effectiveness makes it necessary to be careful with recommendations. More evaluation research is absolutely needed.

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“…22,75,80 It may be more productive to think beyond typical sociodemographic profiles of populations most vulnerable to communication failures during a mass contamination event and consider the context or psychosocial environment of risk in terms of high or low trust individuals and in reference to likely preexisting values and risk perceptions. 81,82 Building an Updated Risk Communication Response Plan…”

Section: Effects Of General Reassurancesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting Response to Reassurances and Uncertainties in Bioterrorism Communications for Urban Populations in New York and California

Vaughan

Tinker

Truman

et al. 2012

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, an

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Recent national plans for recovery from bioterrorism acts perpetrated in densely populated urban areas acknowledge the formidable technical and social challenges of consequence management. Effective risk and crisis communication is one priority to strengthen the U.S.'s response and resilience. However, several notable risk events since September 11, 2001, have revealed vulnerabilities in risk/crisis communication strategies and infrastructure of agencies responsible for protecting civilian populations. During recovery from a significant biocontamination event, 2 goals are essential: (1) effective communication of changing risk circumstances and uncertainties related to cleanup, restoration, and reoccupancy; and (2) adequate responsiveness to emerging information needs and priorities of diverse populations in high-threat, vulnerable locations. This telephone survey study explored predictors of public reactions to uncertainty communications and reassurances from leaders related to the remediation stage of an urban-based bioterrorism incident. African American and Hispanic adults (N=320) were randomly sampled from 2 ethnically and socioeconomically diverse geographic areas in New York and California assessed as high threat, high vulnerability for terrorism and other public health emergencies. Results suggest that considerable heterogeneity exists in risk perspectives and information needs within certain sociodemographic groups; that success of risk/crisis communication during recovery is likely to be uneven; that common assumptions about public responsiveness to particular risk communications need further consideration; and that communication effectiveness depends partly on preexisting values and risk perceptions and prior trust in leaders. Needed improvements in communication strategies are possible with recognition of where individuals start as a reference point for reasoning about risk information, and comprehension of how this influences subsequent interpretation of agencies' actions and communications.

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Psychosocial considerations for mass decontamination

Cited by 18 publications

References 47 publications

The association between disaster exposure and media use on post-traumatic stress disorder following Typhoon Hato in Macao, China

The association between disaster exposure and media use on post-traumatic stress disorder following Typhoon Hato in Macao, China

Psychosocial care to affected citizens and communities in case of CBRN incidents: A systematic review

Predicting Response to Reassurances and Uncertainties in Bioterrorism Communications for Urban Populations in New York and California

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