Onset and remission of common mental disorders among adults living in temporary housing for three years after the triple disaster in Northeast Japan: comparisons with the general population
Background
People living in temporary housing for long periods after a disaster are at risk of poor mental health. This study investigated the post-disaster incidence and remission of common mental disorders among adults living in temporary housing for the three years following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Methods
Three years after the disaster, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 1,089 adult residents living in temporary housing in the disaster area, i.e., the shelter group, and a random sample of 852 community residents from non-disaster areas of East Japan. The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to diagnose DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders. Information on demographic variables and disaster experiences was also collected.
Results
Response rates were 49% and 46% for the shelter group and the community residents, respectively. The incidence of mood/anxiety disorder in the shelter group was elevated only in the first year post-disaster compared to that of the general population. The rate of remission for mood and anxiety disorders was significantly lower in the shelter group than in the community residents. The proportion seeking medical treatment was higher in the shelter group.
Conclusions
The onset of common mental disorders increased in the first year, but then levelled off in the following years among residents in temporary housing after the disaster. Remission from incident post-disaster mental disorders was slower in the shelter group than in the general population. Post-disaster mental health service could consider the greater incidence in the first year and prolonged remission of mental disorders among survivors with a long-term stay in temporary housing after a disaster.
Figure 1
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Onset and remission of common mental disorders among adults living in temporary housing for three years after the triple disaster in Northeast Japan: comparisons with the general population
Posted 14 Aug, 2020
On 20 Aug, 2020
On 12 Aug, 2020
On 11 Aug, 2020
On 10 Aug, 2020
On 10 Aug, 2020
On 07 Aug, 2020
On 05 Aug, 2020
On 04 Aug, 2020
On 04 Aug, 2020
On 03 Aug, 2020
Received 27 Jul, 2020
On 20 Jul, 2020
Invitations sent on 20 Jul, 2020
On 20 Jul, 2020
On 19 Jul, 2020
On 19 Jul, 2020
On 29 Jun, 2020
Received 11 Jun, 2020
On 11 Jun, 2020
Received 11 Jun, 2020
Invitations sent on 11 Jun, 2020
On 11 Jun, 2020
On 08 Jun, 2020
On 07 Jun, 2020
On 07 Jun, 2020
On 11 May, 2020
Received 06 May, 2020
On 28 Apr, 2020
On 01 Apr, 2020
Received 01 Apr, 2020
Invitations sent on 24 Feb, 2020
On 20 Dec, 2019
On 20 Dec, 2019
On 19 Dec, 2019
On 19 Dec, 2019
Background
People living in temporary housing for long periods after a disaster are at risk of poor mental health. This study investigated the post-disaster incidence and remission of common mental disorders among adults living in temporary housing for the three years following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Methods
Three years after the disaster, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 1,089 adult residents living in temporary housing in the disaster area, i.e., the shelter group, and a random sample of 852 community residents from non-disaster areas of East Japan. The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to diagnose DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders. Information on demographic variables and disaster experiences was also collected.
Results
Response rates were 49% and 46% for the shelter group and the community residents, respectively. The incidence of mood/anxiety disorder in the shelter group was elevated only in the first year post-disaster compared to that of the general population. The rate of remission for mood and anxiety disorders was significantly lower in the shelter group than in the community residents. The proportion seeking medical treatment was higher in the shelter group.
Conclusions
The onset of common mental disorders increased in the first year, but then levelled off in the following years among residents in temporary housing after the disaster. Remission from incident post-disaster mental disorders was slower in the shelter group than in the general population. Post-disaster mental health service could consider the greater incidence in the first year and prolonged remission of mental disorders among survivors with a long-term stay in temporary housing after a disaster.
Figure 1