T J Lewin1, V J Carr, R A Webster. 1. Discipline of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify the psychosocial characteristics of high earthquake exposure subjects that were associated with the development of post-disaster morbidity and with recovery. METHOD: Data reported are from 515 participants in a longitudinal study of the psychosocial effects of the 1989 Newcastle (Australia) earthquake. Subjects were allocated to three subgroups (low morbidity; recovered; and persistent morbidity) on the basis of their Impact of Event Scale scores across the four phases of the study. Differences between these subgroups were examined on a broad range of variables. RESULTS: Several background, dispositional, coping style and exposure-related factors characterised those who developed psychological morbidity, only a small subset of which differentiated between those who recovered and those with persistent morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Post-earthquake morbidity persists longer in those who are older, have a history of emotional problems, have higher neuroticism, use more neurotic defenses, and report higher levels of post-disaster life events.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify the psychosocial characteristics of high earthquake exposure subjects that were associated with the development of post-disaster morbidity and with recovery. METHOD: Data reported are from 515 participants in a longitudinal study of the psychosocial effects of the 1989 Newcastle (Australia) earthquake. Subjects were allocated to three subgroups (low morbidity; recovered; and persistent morbidity) on the basis of their Impact of Event Scale scores across the four phases of the study. Differences between these subgroups were examined on a broad range of variables. RESULTS: Several background, dispositional, coping style and exposure-related factors characterised those who developed psychological morbidity, only a small subset of which differentiated between those who recovered and those with persistent morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Post-earthquake morbidity persists longer in those who are older, have a history of emotional problems, have higher neuroticism, use more neurotic defenses, and report higher levels of post-disaster life events.
Authors: Brian J Kelly; Terry J Lewin; Helen J Stain; Clare Coleman; Michael Fitzgerald; David Perkins; Vaughan J Carr; Lyn Fragar; Jeffrey Fuller; David Lyle; John R Beard Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2010-11-03 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Lara M Greaves; Petar Milojev; Yanshu Huang; Samantha Stronge; Danny Osborne; Joseph Bulbulia; Michael Grimshaw; Chris G Sibley Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-05-01 Impact factor: 3.240