Trauma and Natural Disaster: The Case of Earthquakes in Greece

Madianos, Michael G.; Koukia, Evmorfia

doi:10.1080/15325020903373185

Cited by 41 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…There is often a decrease in non-fatal suicidal behaviors in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, which has been referred to as the "honeymoon period" (Madianos and Evi 2010). Another study reported that the feeling of "pulling together" during a natural disaster reduced interpersonal risk factors associated with the desire for suicide (Gordon et al 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delayed Increase in Male Suicide Rates in Tsunami Disaster-Stricken Areas following the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Three-Year Follow-Up Study in Miyagi Prefecture

Orui¹,

Sato

Tazaki³

et al. 2015

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

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Devastating natural disasters and their aftermath are known to cause psychological distress. However, little information is available regarding suicide rates following tsunami disasters that destroy regional social services and networks. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the tsunami disaster following the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 has influenced suicide rates. The study period was from March 2009 to February 2014. Tsunami disaster-stricken areas were defined as the 16 municipalities facing the Pacific Ocean in Miyagi Prefecture. Inland areas were defined as other municipalities in Miyagi that were damaged by the earthquake. Suicide rates in the tsunami disasterstricken areas were compared to national averages, using a time-series analysis and the Poisson distribution test. In tsunami disaster-stricken areas, male suicide rates were significantly lower than the national average during the initial post-disaster period and began to increase after two years. Likewise, male suicide rates in the inland areas decreased for seven months, and then increased to exceed the national average. In contrast, female post-disaster suicide rates did not change in both areas compared to the national average. Importantly, the male suicide rates in the inland areas started to increase earlier compared to the tsunami-stricken areas, which may reflect the relative deficiency of mental healthcare services in the inland areas. Considering the present status that many survivors from the tsunami disaster still live in temporary housing and face various challenges to rebuild their lives, we should continue intensive, long-term mental healthcare services in the tsunami-stricken areas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delayed Increase in Male Suicide Rates in Tsunami Disaster-Stricken Areas following the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Three-Year Follow-Up Study in Miyagi Prefecture

Orui¹,

Sato

Tazaki³

et al. 2015

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

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“…In the present study, we utilized hair cortisol as a retrospective biomarker to reflect long-term HPA activity of the survivors from the Wenchuan earthquake (8.1 R) that hit and destroyed Wenchuan district, Sichuan Province, China, on May 12, 2008. Epidemiogical studies have shown that a sudden earthquake could result in psychological consequences on the affected population, such as massive acute stress reactions, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and an accumulation of depressive and anxiety symptoms (e.g., Bergiannaki, Psarros, Varsou, Paparrigopoulos, & Soldatos, 2003;Kolaitis et al, 2003;Michael & Koukia, 2010). The resulting stress response would last for a considerably long period, from 2 days to several months or even several years after the earthquake outburst (e.g., Michael & Koukia, 2010).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Epidemiogical studies have shown that a sudden earthquake could result in psychological consequences on the affected population, such as massive acute stress reactions, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and an accumulation of depressive and anxiety symptoms (e.g., Bergiannaki, Psarros, Varsou, Paparrigopoulos, & Soldatos, 2003;Kolaitis et al, 2003;Michael & Koukia, 2010). The resulting stress response would last for a considerably long period, from 2 days to several months or even several years after the earthquake outburst (e.g., Michael & Koukia, 2010). A recent cross-sectional study reports that the non-PTSD female adolescents traumatized in the Wenchuan earthquake show significantly higher hair cortisol level than controls 2-4 months after the Wenchuan earthquake (Luo et al, 2012).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal features of elevated hair cortisol among earthquake survivors

et al. 2014

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This study aimed to determine the effect on hair cortisol level of a chronic stress response from the Wenchuan earthquake, and to explore the temporal features of elevated hair cortisol. We recruited two cohorts of earthquake survivors: cohort A consisted of 12 male adults and 8 females and cohort B of 20 male adolescents, with 23 and 29 participants as controls, respectively. Their hair samples closest to the scalp were assayed with mass spectrometry to determine cortisol content. Results revealed that hair cortisol content in survivors of cohort A was significantly higher than in the control. For survivors of cohort B, hair cortisol levels increased 6 and 22 weeks after the earthquake and decreased 43 weeks after the outburst. In conclusion, the chronic stress response elicited by the earthquake resulted in elevated hair cortisol. Timing since the earthquake outburst played an important role in the long-term response of the HPA axis to a major acute stressor.

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“…Affected suburbs experienced a range of problems including major property damage or loss, severe soil liquefaction (rising silt and water residue), and significant loss and disruption in utilities such as water, sewage and electricity. The primary outcome variables of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms were measured, as these are the most common symptoms following disasters (e.g., Kar & Bastia, 2006;Kilic ß et al, 2006;Lima et al, 1989;Madianos & Evi, 2010;Norris, Perilla, Reid, Kanisty, & Lavizzo, 1999). Substance use and both general and relationship functioning were also examined.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of average household income and damage exposure on post‐earthquake distress and functioning: A community study following the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake

Dorahy

Rowlands

Renouf

et al. 2014

British J of Psychology

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Post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety symptoms are common outcomes following earthquakes, and may persist for months and years. This study systematically examined the impact of neighbourhood damage exposure and average household income on psychological distress and functioning in 600 residents of Christchurch, New Zealand, 4-6 months after the fatal February, 2011 earthquake. Participants were from highly affected and relatively unaffected suburbs in low, medium and high average household income areas. The assessment battery included the Acute Stress Disorder Scale, the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), along with single item measures of substance use, earthquake damage and impact, and disruptions in daily life and relationship functioning. Controlling for age, gender and social isolation, participants from low income areas were more likely to meet diagnostic cut-offs for depression and anxiety, and have more severe anxiety symptoms. Higher probabilities of acute stress, depression and anxiety diagnoses were evident in affected versus unaffected areas, and those in affected areas had more severe acute stress, depression and anxiety symptoms. An interaction between income and earthquake effect was found for depression, with those from the low and medium income affected suburbs more depressed. Those from low income areas were more likely, post-earthquake, to start psychiatric medication and increase smoking. There was a uniform increase in alcohol use across participants. Those from the low income affected suburb had greater general and relationship disruption post-quake. Average household income and damage exposure made unique contributions to earthquake-related distress and dysfunction.

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Trauma and Natural Disaster: The Case of Earthquakes in Greece

Cited by 41 publications

References 29 publications

Delayed Increase in Male Suicide Rates in Tsunami Disaster-Stricken Areas following the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Three-Year Follow-Up Study in Miyagi Prefecture

Delayed Increase in Male Suicide Rates in Tsunami Disaster-Stricken Areas following the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Three-Year Follow-Up Study in Miyagi Prefecture

Temporal features of elevated hair cortisol among earthquake survivors

Impact of average household income and damage exposure on post‐earthquake distress and functioning: A community study following the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake

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