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The effect of relocation after a natural disaster
L M Najarian1, A K Goenjian, D Pelcovitz
1Department of Psychiatry, North Shore University Hospital-NYU School of Medicine, Manhasset, New York, USA.
Journal of Traumatic Stress
|September 6, 2001
Summary
Disaster survivors in a devastated city and those relocated showed more PTSD symptoms than a comparison group. Relocated women experienced higher depression, suggesting relocation risk for depression over PTSD during delayed recovery.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Disaster Mental Health
Background:
- Natural disasters like earthquakes can have profound psychological impacts on survivors.
- Mental health outcomes, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, are critical areas of study following mass trauma.
- The effects of relocation on mental health after a disaster are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the psychological distress of women remaining in an earthquake-devastated city with those relocated and a control group.
- To investigate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in different survivor groups.
- To examine the association between relocation and mental health outcomes following a major disaster.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving three groups of women: 25 remaining in the earthquake-affected city, 24 relocated survivors, and 25 from a comparison group.
- Utilized a structured PTSD interview to assess trauma-related symptoms.
- Administered the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) to measure depression and overall psychological distress.
Main Results:
- Both exposed groups (in the earthquake city and relocated) exhibited significantly higher avoidance, arousal, and total PTSD symptoms compared to the comparison group.
- Women in the relocated group reported significantly higher depression scores than those remaining in the earthquake city.
- Relocated women showed the highest overall symptom scores on the SCL-90-R, while the comparison group had the lowest.
Conclusions:
- Relocation after a disaster is associated with an increased risk of depression, particularly when disaster recovery is prolonged.
- While both exposed groups experienced PTSD symptoms, relocation appears to be a more significant risk factor for depression in delayed recovery scenarios.
- The findings highlight the complex interplay between trauma, relocation, and mental health recovery following catastrophic events.
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