Methodological Challenges in Studying the Mental Health Consequences of Disasters

Mental Health Consequences of Disasters

“…Logistic complications arise from the inability to plan in advance, changing conditions in the affected area, and the difficulty of assembling an effective research team and obtaining necessary resources quickly (22). For example, in the aftermath of a disaster, the location of the affected population and the extent of evacuation may be unknown.…”

“…Investigators may have to rely on interviewers who may be unfamiliar with the research area, with sampling, and with interviewing techniques and may require extensive training. Obtaining funding and required approval from an institutional review board may also be a challenge and may require the primary investigator to cobble together disparate resources (22).…”

“…Choice of the study population will likely influence study results; selecting a larger area or population may include more indirectly exposed persons in the sample population and result in lower estimates of the burden of post-disaster mental disorders. Additionally, because large numbers of persons may evacuate the disaster-affected area, it may be difficult to know who was in the area before and during the disaster, particularly if they were not residents or employees of businesses in the area (22).…”

“…Telephone or Internet-based studies, which are cheaper, can be implemented from a distance and may also reach displaced persons (via cell phone); these may be better options if phone and Internet services are functioning. However, persons without Internet or phone services will be excluded and estimates may not represent the target population (22). Certain populations, such as children, minority groups, nonnative speakers, homeless persons, transient youth, and migrant populations, may be particularly difficult to reach after a disaster (22,67).…”

“…However, persons without Internet or phone services will be excluded and estimates may not represent the target population (22). Certain populations, such as children, minority groups, nonnative speakers, homeless persons, transient youth, and migrant populations, may be particularly difficult to reach after a disaster (22,67). Exclusion of these groups may influence the representativeness of the study findings and, if these groups are particularly vulnerable to post-disaster psychopathology, may result in underestimation of the disaster's impact on the community's mental health.…”