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Article
Association Between Earthquake Exposures and Mental Health Outcomes in Phulpingdanda Village After the 2015 Nepal Earthquakes
Community Mental Health Journal
  • Jessica S. Schwind, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
  • Stephanie A. Norman, Augusta University
  • Rebecca Brown, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
  • Rebecca Hoffmann Frances, Tufts University
  • Elisabeth Koss, Independent Researcher
  • Dibesh Karmacharya, Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal
  • Susan L. Santangelo, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Psychiatric Research
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-17-2019
DOI
10.1007/s10597-019-00404-w
Abstract

In 2015, two strong earthquakes, as well as continuous, high magnitude aftershocks, struck Nepal. Phulpingdanda village was greatly impacted due to its lack of infrastructure and environmental remoteness. Adults from sampled households were surveyed 1-year later to examine the association between earthquake exposures and indicators of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and resilience. Results showed 33% of surveyed residents screened positive for depression, 9% screened positive for severe PTSD, and 46% displayed moderate to high resilience. Additionally, participants experienced resource loss (100%), damaged home and goods (99%), and exposure to the grotesque (82%). Traumatic earthquake experiences related to personal harm were associated with symptoms of depression and PTSD and resource loss was associated with depressive symptoms. Earthquake experiences associated with less damage to home and goods, but greater exposure to the grotesque were associated with increased resilience. This research adds to our knowledge of the relationship between traumatic exposures and indicators of psychological distress and resilience following a disaster.

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Citation Information
Jessica S. Schwind, Stephanie A. Norman, Rebecca Brown, Rebecca Hoffmann Frances, et al.. "Association Between Earthquake Exposures and Mental Health Outcomes in Phulpingdanda Village After the 2015 Nepal Earthquakes" Community Mental Health Journal Vol. 55 (2019) p. 1103 - 1113 ISSN: 1573-2789
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jessica-schwind/26/