Assessing Community Reactions to Ebola Virus Disease and Other Disasters: Using Social Psychological Research to Enhance Public Health and Disaster Communications.

Joseph A Boscarino

doi:10.4172/1522-4821.1000147

Abstract

Drawing on the lessons learned from previous disaster and disease outbreak studies over the past two decades, in the following article we review research related to social psychological assessment of community attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs associated with the recent Ebola outbreak and other public health threats, and discuss the use of this information to assist in future disaster planning and crisis communications. Psychologists, physicians, and others in the healthcare field need to be aware of these developments and involved with preparations related to mitigating the psychological impact of Ebola disease outbreaks among different populations, as well as other potential public health threats in the future.

Highlights

Given the scope of the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa, exportation of Ebola virus disease (EVD) to other parts of the world is likely to continue (Farrar & Piot, 2014; Toner, Adalja, & Inglesby, 2014)
Building on previous disaster experiences (Institute of Medicine and US Department of Health and Human Services, 2014), we review existing social psychological research related to assessing community attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs related to EVD and other potential public health threats, and discuss the use of this information to assist in future disaster planning and crisis communications
Given current threats and emerging knowledge related to both environmental and humanmade disasters, we think that interventions should be considered, including community, workplace and family-based programs and public service announcements, based on new and existing research (Boscarino, Adams, Figley et al, 2006; Boscarino et al, 2012; Boscarino et al, 2014; Engel & Katon, 1999; Foa et al, 2005)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Given the scope of the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa, exportation of Ebola virus disease (EVD) to other parts of the world is likely to continue (Farrar & Piot, 2014; Toner, Adalja, & Inglesby, 2014). At this time, much is to be learned about EVD virology and epidemiology (Toner et al, 2014). Boscarino and Adams influenza strains with pandemic potential, Lyme disease, and more recently, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) (Benowitz et al, 2014) It is unclear how prepared the US and other countries are for a major outbreak of EVD (Farrar & Piot, 2014; Gostin, Hodge, & Burris, 2014).

OBJECTIVE

RESEARCH METHODS

Findings

CONCLUSION