Long-Term Mental Health Effects of a Devastating Wildfire Are Amplified by Socio-Demographic and Clinical Antecedents in Elementary and High School Staff

ObjectivesTo assess the likely prevalence rates of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in staff of Fort McMurray School Districts eighteen months after a May 2016 wildfire, and to determine possible predictors.MethodsA quantit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in Psychiatry
Main Authors: Vincent I. O. Agyapong, Amanda Ritchie, Matthew R. G. Brown, Shannon Noble, Monica Mankowsi, Edward Denga, Bernard Nwaka, Idowu Akinjise, Sandra E. Corbett, Shahram Moosavi, Pierre Chue, Xin-Min Li, Peter H. Silverstone, Andrew J. Greenshaw
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020
Subjects:
wildfires
depression
anxiety
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
drugs
alcohol
Psychiatry
RC435-571
Fort McMurray
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00448
https://doaj.org/article/d6e74b80d61e44e5826e7676fa9c4673
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Summary:ObjectivesTo assess the likely prevalence rates of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in staff of Fort McMurray School Districts eighteen months after a May 2016 wildfire, and to determine possible predictors.MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional survey was used to collect data through self-administered online questionnaires to determine likely MDD, GAD and PTSD using well validated self-report questionnaires.ResultsOf 1,446 staff who were sent the online survey link in an e-mail, 197 completed the survey, of which there were 168 females (85%) and 29 males (15%). The one-month prevalence rates for likely MDD, GAD and PTSD among the school staff were 18.3, 15.7 and 10.2% respectively. There were statistically significant associations between multiple socio-demographic and clinical variables likely MDD, GAD and PTSD among respondents.ConclusionKnowledge of key factors for MDD, GAD and PTSD may be helpful for policy makers when formulating population level social and clinical programs, to mitigate the mental health effects of future natural disasters.

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