Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Posttraumatic Stress and Depression in the Aftermath of Environmental Disasters: A Review of Quantitative Studies Published in 2018

  • Environmental Disaster (D Sandler and A Miller, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Environmental Health Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

As interest in the mental health consequences of environmental disasters increases, this review aimed to summarize peer-reviewed studies published in 2018 on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms after such events.

Recent Findings

Notable trends in the past year of research included studies focusing on vulnerable populations (e.g., persons with preexisting physical health conditions), assessing the cumulative impact of exposure to multiple disasters, exploring pathway leading to PTSD and depression symptoms, and evaluating the effectiveness of post-disaster interventions.

Summary

Over 100 articles were identified, focused on 40 disasters that occurred between 1982 and 2017. Prevalence estimates ranged from 0 to 70.51% for PTSD and 1.9 to 59.5% for depression. Consistent predictors of adverse outcomes included female gender, socioeconomic disadvantage, high disaster exposure, and low psychosocial resources. Further research that expands upon recent advances in the literature is critical given the large proportion of the world’s population exposed to disasters and the increasing incidence of such events.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Canada)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Pachauri RK, Mayer L, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (eds) (2015) Climate change 2014: synthesis report. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9781107415416.

  2. Norris FH, Friedman MJ, Watson PJ, Byrne CM, Diaz E, Kaniasty K. 60,000 disaster victims speak: part I. An empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981-2001. Psychiatry. 2002;65:207–39. https://doi.org/10.1521/psyc.65.3.207.20173.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Goldmann E, Galea S. Mental health consequences of disasters. Annu Rev Public Health. 2014;35:169–83. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-032013-182435.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Neria Y, Nandi A, Galea S. Post-traumatic stress disorder following disasters: a systematic review. Psychol Med. 2008;38:467–80. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291707001353.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Geng F, Zhou Y, Liang Y, Fan F. A longitudinal study of recurrent experience of earthquake and mental health problems among Chinese adolescents. Front Psychol. 2018;9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01259.

  6. • Harville EW, Shankar A, Dunkel Schetter C, Lichtveld M. Cumulative effects of the gulf oil spill and other disasters on mental health among reproductive-aged women: the gulf resilience on women’s health study. Psychol Trauma. 2018;10:533–41. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000345Article provides a comprehensive summary and rigorous analysis of three competing models of how multiple exposures to traumatic events could influence mental health.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Lee J, Blackmon BJ, Cochran DM, Kar B, Rehner TA, Gunnell MS. Community resilience, psychological resilience, and depressive symptoms: an examination of the Mississippi Gulf coast 10 years after hurricane Katrina and 5 years after the deepwater horizon oil spill. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2018;12:241–8. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2017.61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Lee J, Blackmon BJ, Lee JY, Cochran DM, Rehner TA. An exploration of posttraumatic growth, loneliness, depression, resilience, and social capital among survivors of hurricane Katrina and the deepwater horizon oil spill. J Community Psychol. 2019;47:356–70. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22125.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Prost SG, Appel HB, Ai AL. Coping and post-traumatic stress after hurricanes Katrina and Rita: racial disparities in social work student-practitioners. J Soc Serv Res. 2018;44:459–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2018.1476296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Stough LM, North CS. The association of adverse mental health effects with repeated exposure to disasters. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2018;30(1):17–24 Retrieved from https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/166177.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gilmore AK, Price M, Bountress KE, Zuromski KL, Ruggiero K, Resnick H. A longitudinal examination of interpersonal violence exposure, concern for loved ones during a disaster, and web-based intervention effects on posttraumatic stress disorder among adolescent victims of the spring 2011 tornadoes, 2018. J Interpers Violence 0886260518791236. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518791236.

  12. Kannis-Dymand L, Carter JD, Lane BR, Innes P. The relationship of peritraumatic distress and dissociation with beliefs about memory following natural disasters. Aust Psychol. 2018;54:311–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Cao C, Wang L, Wu J, Li G, Fang R, Cao X, et al. Patterns of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and posttraumatic growth in an epidemiological sample of Chinese earthquake survivors. Front Psychol. 2018;9:1549. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01549.

  14. Yeung NCY, Lau JTF, Yu NX, Zhang J, Xu Z, Choi KC, et al. Media exposure related to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake predicted probable PTSD among Chinese adolescents in Kunming, China: a longitudinal study. Psychol Trauma. 2018;10:253–62. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Cao X, Wang L, Cao C, Zhang J, Elhai JD. PTSD latent classes and class transitions predicted by distress and fear disorders in disaster-exposed adolescents. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2018;0:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2017.1410825.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Cheng J, Liang Y, Fu L, Liu Z. Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms in children after the Wenchuan earthquake. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2018;9:1472992. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2018.1472992.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Du B, Ma X, Ou X, Jin Y, Ren P, Li J. The prevalence of posttraumatic stress in adolescents eight years after the Wenchuan earthquake. Psychiatry Res. 2018;262:262–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.02.019.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Fan M, Cao T, Feng Y, Su M, Lin J, Ran MS, et al. D allele of insertion/deletion polymorphism at angiotensin-converting enzyme gene is associated with reduced prevalence and severity of depression among Chinese adolescents at early stage after Wenchuan earthquake. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2018;22:136–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/13651501.2017.1383440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Feng Y, Su M, Si YJ, Guo QW, Lin J, Cao T, et al. Longitudinal interplays of estrogen receptor alpha gene rs9340799 with social-environmental factors on post-traumatic stress disorder in Chinese Han adolescents after Wenchuan earthquake. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2018;177:337–45. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.b.32615.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Memon NH, Fan M, Lin J, Si YJ, Su M, Guo QW, et al. Reduced recovery of depression in female T allele carriers of TNF-RII rs1061622 at earlier stage after Wenchuan earthquake. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15:1075. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15061075.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Geng F, Liang Y, Shi X, Fan F. A prospective study of psychiatric symptoms among adolescents after the Wenchuan earthquake. J Trauma Stress. 2018;31:499–508. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22307.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Geng F, Zhou Y, Liang Y, Zheng X, Li Y, Chen X, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder and psychiatric comorbidity among adolescent earthquake survivors: a longitudinal cohort study. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2018;47:671–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-018-0462-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Shi X, Zhou Y, Geng F, Li Y, Zhou J, Lei B, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in parents and adolescents after the Wenchuan earthquake: a longitudinal actor-partner interdependence model. J Affect Disord. 2018;226:301–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.10.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Guo J, Liu C, Kong D, Solomon P, Fu M. The relationship between PTSD and suicidality among Wenchuan earthquake survivors: the role of PTG and social support. J Affect Disord. 2018;235:90–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.04.030.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. He L, Lai K, Lin Z, Ma Z. Media exposure and general trust as predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder: ten years after the 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15:2386. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15112386.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Hu T, Xu S, Liu W. A senior high school-based survey on the long-term impact of the Wenchuan earthquake on survivors’ quality of life: PTSD as a mediator. Psychiatry Res. 2018;270:310–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.09.043.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Liu L, Wang L, Cao C, Cao X, Zhu Y, Liu P, et al. Serotonin transporter 5-HTTLPR genotype is associated with intrusion and avoidance symptoms of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Chinese earthquake survivors. Anxiety Stress Coping. 2018;31:318–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2017.1420174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Zhang X, Zhang J, Wang L, Zhang W. Altered gray matter volume and its correlation with ptsd severity in Chinese earthquake survivors. Front Psychiatry. 2018;9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00629.

  29. Zhou X, Wu X, Zhen R. Patterns of posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth among adolescents after the Wenchuan earthquake in China: a latent profile analysis. J Trauma Stress. 2018;31:57–63. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22246.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Zhou X, Wu X, Zhen R, Wang W, Tian Y. Trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorders among adolescents in the area worst-hit by the Wenchuan earthquake. J Affect Disord. 2018;235:303–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.04.032.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Jin Y, Deng H, An J, Xu J. The prevalence of PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms and related predictors in children and adolescents 3 years after the Ya’an earthquake. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2018;50:300–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-018-0840-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Jin Y, Sun C, Wang F, An J, Xu J. The relationship between PTSD, depression and negative life events: Ya’an earthquake three years later. Psychiatry Res. 2018;259:358–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.09.017.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Tang W, Lu Y, Xu J. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression symptoms among adolescent earthquake victims: comorbidity and associated sleep-disturbing factors. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2018;53:1241–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1576-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Tang W, Xu D, Li B, Lu Y, Xu J. The relationship between the frequency of suicidal ideation and sleep disturbance factors among adolescent earthquake victims in China. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2018;55:90–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2018.09.013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Tang W, Zhao J, Lu Y, Zha Y, Liu H, Sun Y, et al. Suicidality, posttraumatic stress, and depressive reactions after earthquake and maltreatment: a cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 6132 Chinese children and adolescents. J Affect Disord. 2018;232:363–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.081.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Tang W, Lu Y, Yang Y, Xu J. An epidemiologic study of self-reported sleep problems in a large sample of adolescent earthquake survivors: the effects of age, gender, exposure, and psychopathology. J Psychosom Res. 2018;113:22–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.07.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Xu J, Wang Y, Tang W. Risk factors of post-traumatic stress and depressive disorders in Longmenshan adolescents after the 2013 Lushan earthquake. Community Ment Health J. 2018;55:497–506. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-018-0256-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Xu J, Wang Y, Tang W. Posttraumatic stress disorder in Longmenshan adolescents at three years after the 2013 Lushan earthquake. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2018;54:45–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2018.05.009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Wang W, Wu X, Tian Y. Mediating roles of gratitude and social support in the relation between survivor guilt and posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic growth among adolescents after the Ya’an earthquake. Front Psychol. 2018;9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02131.

  40. Wong H, Huang Y, Fu Y, Zhang Y. Impacts of structural social capital and cognitive social capital on the psychological status of survivors of the Yaan earthquake. Appl Res Qual Life. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-018-9661-9.

  41. Zhou X, Wu X, Zhen R. Self-esteem and hope mediate the relations between social support and post-traumatic stress disorder and growth in adolescents following the Ya’an earthquake. Anxiety Stress Coping. 2018;31:32–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2017.1374376.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Acharya S, Bhatta DN, Assannangkornchai S. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among children of Kathmandu 1 year after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2018;12:486–92. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2017.100.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Itzhaky H, Weiss-Dagan S, Taubman-Ben-Ari O. Internal and community recourses’ contribution to level of posttraumatic symptoms—the case of tourists after the earthquake in Nepal, 2015. Psychol Trauma. 2018;10:239–45. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000280.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Kane JC, Luitel NP, Jordans MJD, Kohrt BA, Weissbecker I, Tol WA. Mental health and psychosocial problems in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquakes: findings from a representative cluster sample survey. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2018;27:301–10. https://doi.org/10.1017/s2045796016001104.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Negi BS, Joshi SK, Nakazawa M, Kotaki T, Bastola A, Kameoka M. Impact of a massive earthquake on adherence to antiretroviral therapy, mental health, and treatment failure among people living with HIV in Nepal. PLoS One. 2018;13:e019807. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198071.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Schwind JS, Formby CB, Santangelo SL, Norman SA, Brown R, Hoffman Frances R, et al. Earthquake exposures and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents from Phulpingdanda village, Nepal: a cross-sectional study. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2018;12:54. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-018-0257-9.

  47. Sharma A, Kar N. Posttraumatic stress, depression, and coping following the 2015 Nepal earthquake: a study on adolescents. Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 2018; 1–7. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2018.37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Silwal S, Dybdahl R, Chudal R, Sourander A, Lien L. Psychiatric symptoms experienced by adolescents in Nepal following the 2015 earthquakes. J Affect Disord. 2018;234:239–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.03.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Thapa P, Acharya L, Bhatta BD, Paneru SB, Khattri JB, Chakraborty PK, et al. Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder after earthquake. J Nepal Health Res Counc. 2018;16:53–7. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnhrc.v16i1.19366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. •• Welton-Mitchell C, James LE, Khanal SN, James AS. An integrated approach to mental health and disaster preparedness: a cluster comparison with earthquake affected communities in Nepal. BMC Psychiatry. 2018;18:296. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1863-zArticle represents a major effort to examine a post-disaster intervention, culturally adapted group treatment aimed at reducing symptoms and building psychosocial resources.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. The international disasters database (EM-DAT) 2019. Retrieved from https://www.emdat.be.

  52. Bolt MA, Helming LM, Tintle NL. The associations between Self-reported exposure to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster zone and mental health disorders in Ukraine. Front Psychiatry. 2018;9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00032.

  53. Goenjian AK, Khachadourian V, Armenian H, Demirchyan A, Steinberg AM. Posttraumatic stress disorder 23 years after the 1988 Spitak earthquake in Armenia. J Trauma Stress. 2018;31:47–56. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22260.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Adebäck P, Schulman A, Nilsson D. Children exposed to a natural disaster: psychological consequences eight years after 2004 tsunami. Nord J Psychiatry. 2018;72:75–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2017.1382569.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Bondjers K, Willebrand M, Arnberg FK. Similarity in symptom patterns of posttraumatic stress among disaster-survivors: a three-step latent profile analysis. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2018;9:1546083. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2018.1546083.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  56. Gudmundsdottir R, Hultman CM, Valdimarsdottir U. Evacuation of Swedish survivors after the 2004 southeast Asian tsunami: the survivors’ perspective and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Scand J Public Health. 2018;1403494818771418:260–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494818771418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Sveen J, Johannesson KB, Cernvall M, Arnberg FK. Trajectories of prolonged grief one to six years after a natural disaster. PLoS One. 2018;13:e0209757. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209757.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  58. Lai BS, Osborne MC, Piscitello J, Self-Brown S, Kelley ML. The relationship between social support and posttraumatic stress symptoms among youth exposed to a natural disaster. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2018;9:1450042. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2018.1450042.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  59. Lai BS, Osborne MC, Lee N, Self-Brown S, Esnard A-M, Kelley ML. Trauma-informed schools: child disaster exposure, community violence and somatic symptoms. J Affect Disord. 2018;238:586–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.05.062.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. • Lenane Z, Peacock E, Joyce C, Frohlich ED, Re RN, Muntner P, et al. Association of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following hurricane Katrina with incident cardiovascular disease events among older adults with hypertension. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2018.11.006Article representative of trend in research investigating post-disaster mental health among high-risk populations, and that links mental and physical health outcomes.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. McGuire AP, Gauthier JM, Anderson LM, Hollingsworth DW, Tracy M, Galea S, et al. Social support moderates effects of natural disaster exposure on depression and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: effects for displaced and nondisplaced residents. J Trauma Stress. 2018;31:223–33. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Mikolajewski AJ, Scheeringa MS. Examining the prospective relationship between pre-disaster respiratory sinus arrhythmia and post-disaster posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in children. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2018;46:1535–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-017-0396-0.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  63. Psarros C, Theleritis C, Kokras N, Lyrakos D, Koborozos A, Kakabakou O, et al. Personality characteristics and individual factors associated with PTSD in firefighters one month after extended wildfires. Nord J Psychiatry. 2018;72:17–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2017.1368703.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Thordardottir EB, Gudmundsdottir H, Gudmundsdottir B, Hrólfsdóttir AM, Aspelund T, Hauksdottir A. Development and predictors of psychological outcomes following the 2008 earthquake in Iceland: a longitudinal cohort study. Scand J Public Health. 2018;47:269–79. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494818771444.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Leiva-Bianchi M, Cornejo F, Fresno A, Rojas C, Serrano C. Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy for post-disaster distress in post-traumatic stress symptoms after Chilean earthquake and tsunami. Gac Sanit. 2018;32:291–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2017.07.018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Rosellini AJ, Dussaillant F, Zubizarreta JR, Kessler RC, Rose S. Predicting posttraumatic stress disorder following a natural disaster. J Psychiatr Res. 2018;96:15–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.09.010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Gissurardóttir ÓS, Hlodversdóttir H, Thordardóttir EB, Pétursdóttir G, Hauksdóttir A. Mental health effects following the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland: a population-based study. Scand J Public Health. 2018;47:1403494817751327–259. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494817751327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Trip H, Tabakakis K, Maskill V, Richardson S, Dolan B, Josland H, et al. Psychological health and resilience: the impact of significant earthquake events on tertiary level professional students. A cross-sectional study. Contemp Nurse. 2018;54:319–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/10376178.2018.1503549.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Xiao Y, Liu D, Liu K, Jiang X. Post-traumatic stress disorder and its risk factors in bereaved Tibetan adolescents 3 years after the 2010 Yushu earthquake, a cross-sectional study in China. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2018;33:149–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2018.11.010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Ayer L, Engel C, Parker A, Seelam R, Ramchand R. Behavioral health of Gulf Coast residents 6 years after the deepwater horizon oil spill: the role of trauma history. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 1–7, 2018. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2018.84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Buckingham-Howes S, Holmes K, Glenn Morris J, Grattan LM. Prolonged financial distress after the deepwater horizon oil spill predicts behavioral health. J Behav Health Serv Res. 2018;46:294–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-018-9602-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Rung AL, Oral E, Fontham E, Harrington DJ, Trapido EJ, Peters ES. The long-term effects of the Deepwater horizon oil spill on women’s depression and mental distress. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 1–8, 2018. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2018.14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Kildea S, Simcock G, Liu A, Elgbeili G, Laplante DP, Kahler A, et al. Continuity of midwifery carer moderates the effects of prenatal maternal stress on postnatal maternal wellbeing: the Queensland flood study. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2018;21:203–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-017-0781-2.

  74. •• Nagamine M, Yamamoto T, Shigemura J, et al. The psychological impact of the Great East Japan earthquake on Japan ground self-defense force personnel: a three-wave, one-year longitudinal study. Psychiatry. 2018;81:288–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/00332747.2017.1333340Exemplary study focused on a high-risk population of over 50,000 first responders after the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Okuyama J, Funakoshi S, Tomita H, Yamaguchi T, Matsuoka H. Longitudinal characteristics of resilience among adolescents: a high school student cohort study to assess the psychological impact of the Great East Japan earthquake. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2018;72:821–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12772.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Shigemura J, Someda H, Tokuno S, Nagamine M, Tanichi M, Araki Y, et al. Disaster victim identification: psychological distress and posttraumatic stress in dentists after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Psychiatry. 2018;81:85–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/00332747.2017.1297667.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Takaoka K, Niitsu T, Suzuki S, Kono A, Nakazato M, Shimizu E. The association of posttraumatic stress disorder risk with help-seeking behavior: a cross-sectional study of earthquake and tsunami survivors in Japan. Traumatology. 2018;24:123–30. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Mordeno IG, Galela DS, Nalipay MJN, Cue MP. Centrality of event and mental health outcomes in child and adolescent natural disaster survivors. Spanish J Psychol. 2018;21:E61. https://doi.org/10.1017/sjp.2018.58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Salcioglu E, Ozden S, Ari F. The role of relocation patterns and psychosocial stressors in posttraumatic stress disorder and depression among earthquake survivors. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2018;206:19–26. https://doi.org/10.1097/nmd.0000000000000627.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Saltini A, Rebecchi D, Callerame C, Fernandez I, Bergonzini E, Starace F. Early eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) intervention in a disaster mental health care context. Psychol Health Med. 2018;23:285–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2017.1344255.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Song JY, Jeong K-S, Choi K, Kim M, Ahn Y-S. Psychological risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder in workers after toxic chemical spill in Gumi, South Korea. Workplace Health Saf. 2018;66:393–402. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079917750168.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Vezzali L, Versari A, Cadamuro A, Trifiletti E, Bernardo GAD. Out-group threats and distress as antecedents of common in-group identity among majority and minority group members in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Int J Psychol. 2018;53:417–25. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12406.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Li J, Alper HE, Gargano LM, Maslow CB, Brackbill RM. Re-experiencing 9/11-related ptsd symptoms following exposure to hurricane Sandy. Int J Emerg Ment Health. 2018;20. https://doi.org/10.4172/1522-4821.1000404.

  84. Mandavia AD, Bonanno GA. When natural disaster follows economic downturn: the incremental impact of multiple stressor events on trajectories of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 2018 1–10. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2018.12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  85. Ruskin J, Rasul R, Schneider S, Bevilacqua K, Taioli E, Schwartz RM. Lack of access to medical care during hurricane Sandy and mental health symptoms. Prev Med Rep. 2018;10:363–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.04.014.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  86. Schneider S, Rasul R, Liu B, Corry D, Lieberman-Cribbin W, Watson A, et al. Examining posttraumatic growth and mental health difficulties in the aftermath of hurricane Sandy. Psychol Trauma. 2019;11:127–36. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Schwartz RM, Rasul R, Kerath SM, Watson AR, Lieberman-Cribbin W, Liu B, et al. Displacement during hurricane Sandy: the impact on mental health. J Emerg Manag. 2018;16:17–27. https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2018.0350.

  88. Hetherington E, McDonald S, Wu M, Tough S. Risk and protective factors for mental health and community cohesion after the 2013 Calgary flood. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2018;12:470–7. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2017.91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Labarda CE, Chan CS. Sleep disturbances, posttraumatic stress, and psychological distress among survivors of the 2013 super typhoon Haiyan. Psychiatry Res. 2018;266:284–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.03.019.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Nagamine M, Shigemura J, Fujiwara T, Waki F, Tanichi M, Saito T, et al. The relationship between dispositional empathy, psychological distress, and posttraumatic stress responses among Japanese uniformed disaster workers: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry. 2018;18:328. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1915-4.

  91. Dar KA, Iqbal N, Prakash A, Paul MA. PTSD and depression in adult survivors of flood fury in Kashmir: the payoffs of social support. Psychiatry Res. 2018;261:449–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.01.023.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Salgado Roa JA, Leria Dulčić FJ, Salgado Roa JA, Leria Dulčić FJ. Coping strategies for stress and pathological symptoms in university students in the face of a mudslide disaster. Acta Colombiana de Psicología. 2018;21:170–95. https://doi.org/10.14718/acp.2018.21.1.8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. Zhen R, Quan L, Zhou X. Fear, negative cognition, and depression mediate the relationship between traumatic exposure and sleep problems among flood victims in China. Psychol Trauma. 2018;10:602–9. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000331.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Zhen R, Quan L, Zhou X. How does social support relieve depression among flood victims? The contribution of feelings of safety, self-disclosure, and negative cognition. J Affect Disord. 2018;229:186–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.12.087.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Zhen R, Quan L, Zhou X. Co-occurring patterns of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among flood victims: a latent profile analysis. J Health Psychol. 2018:135910531876350. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105318763505.

  96. An Y, Yuan G, Liu Z, Zhou Y, Xu W. Dispositional mindfulness mediates the relationships of parental attachment to posttraumatic stress disorder and academic burnout in adolescents following the Yancheng tornado. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2018;9:1472989. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2018.1472989.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  97. An Y, Yuan G, Zhang N, Xu W, Liu Z, Zhou F. Longitudinal cross-lagged relationships between mindfulness, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and posttraumatic growth in adolescents following the Yancheng tornado in China. Psychiatry Res. 2018;266:334–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.03.034.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Zhang Y, Xu W, Yuan G, An Y. The relationship between posttraumatic cognitive change, posttraumatic stress disorder, and posttraumatic growth among Chinese adolescents after the Yancheng tornado: the mediating effect of rumination. Front Psychol. 2018;9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00474.

  99. Xu W, Ding X, Goh PH, An Y. Dispositional mindfulness moderates the relationship between depression and posttraumatic growth in Chinese adolescents following a tornado. Pers Individ Dif. 2018;127:15–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.01.032.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  100. Xu W, Yuan G, Liu Z, Zhou Y, An Y. Prevalence and predictors of PTSD and depression among adolescent victims of the summer 2016 tornado in Yancheng City. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2018;32:777–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2018.04.010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Yuan G, Xu W, Liu Z, An Y. Resilience, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and posttraumatic growth in Chinese adolescents after a tornado: the role of mediation through perceived social support. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2018;206:130–5. https://doi.org/10.1097/nmd.0000000000000778.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. McElroy-Heltzel SE, Davis EB, Davis DE, Aten JD, Hook JN, Van Tongeren DR, et al. Benevolent theodicies protect against PTSD following a natural disaster. J Psychol Christ. 2018;37:6–16 Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/.

  103. Contreras C, Aguilar M, Eappen B, Guzmán C, Carrasco P, Millones AK, et al. Community strengthening and mental health system linking after flooding in two informal human settlements in Peru: a model for small-scale disaster response. Glob Ment Health. 2018;5. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2017.33.

  104. Ferré IM, Negrón S, Shultz JM, Schwartz SJ, Kossin JP, Pantin H. Hurricane Maria’s impact on Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico: community needs and mental health assessment six months postimpact, Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 2018; 1–6. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2018.103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  105. Schwartz RM, Tuminello S, Kerath SM, Rios J, Lieberman-Cribbin W, Taioli E. Preliminary assessment of hurricane Harvey exposures and mental health impact. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15:974. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15050974.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  106. Hikichi H, Aida J, Tsuboya T, Kondo K, Kawachi I. Can community social cohesion prevent posttraumatic stress disorder in the aftermath of a disaster? A natural experiment from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Am J Epidemiol. 2016;183:902–10. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwv335.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  107. Matsuyama Y, Aida J, Hase A, Sato Y, Koyama S, Tsuboya T, et al. Do community- and individual-level social relationships contribute to the mental health of disaster survivors?: a multilevel prospective study after the Great East Japan earthquake. Soc Sci Med. 2016;151:187–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.01.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  108. Gruebner O, Lowe SR, Sampson L, Galea S. The geography of post-disaster mental health: spatial patterning of psychological vulnerability and resilience factors in New York City after hurricane Sandy. Int J Health Geogr. 2015;14:16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12942-015-0008-6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  109. Kwok RK, McGrath JA, Lowe SR, Engel LS, Jackson WB, Curry MD, et al. Mental health indicators associated with oil spill response and clean-up: cross-sectional analysis of the GuLF STUDY cohort. Lancet Public Health. 2017;2:e560–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(17)30194-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  110. Cohen GH, Tamrakar S, Lowe S, Sampson L, Ettman C, Linas B, et al. Comparison of simulated treatment and cost-effectiveness of a stepped care case-finding intervention vs usual care for posttraumatic stress disorder after a natural disaster. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017;74:1251–8. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.3037.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College St., New Haven, CT, 06510, USA

    Sarah R. Lowe

  2. Department of Psychology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA

    Jessica L. Bonumwezi & Zerbrina Valdespino-Hayden

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Sandro Galea

Authors
  1. Sarah R. Lowe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jessica L. Bonumwezi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zerbrina Valdespino-Hayden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sandro Galea
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarah R. Lowe.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Environmental Disaster

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lowe, S.R., Bonumwezi, J.L., Valdespino-Hayden, Z. et al. Posttraumatic Stress and Depression in the Aftermath of Environmental Disasters: A Review of Quantitative Studies Published in 2018. Curr Envir Health Rpt 6, 344–360 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-019-00245-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-019-00245-5

Keywords