Population-based post-crisis psychological distress: an example from the SARS outbreak in Taiwan

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Psychology

Background:

• The 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic led to a WHO travel alert for Taiwan.
• This crisis significantly impacted public health and necessitated understanding its psychological aftermath.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and predictors of psychological distress among Taiwanese residents post-SARS.
• To identify factors contributing to pessimism and psychiatric morbidity after the epidemic.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide survey of 1278 adults was conducted in November 2003 using computer-assisted telephone interviews.
• Psychological distress was assessed via changes in life perception and the Brief Symptom Rating Scale.
• Multivariate logistic regression analyzed correlations between psychological distress and various factors.

Main Results:

• 9.2% of participants reported increased pessimism; 11.7% exhibited psychiatric morbidity.
• Predictors of pessimism included demographics, SARS perception, personal experiences, and individual worries.
• Symptomatic cases were linked to older age, higher education, and concerns about SARS recurrence.

Conclusions:

• Psychological distress post-SARS is associated with demographic factors and epidemic perception.
• Targeted mental health education, segmented by age and education, is recommended for effective crisis communication.
• This approach can enhance community resilience to emerging infectious diseases.