Earthquake Survivors Research Articles

Psychological disorders and related factors among Chinese adolescent earthquake survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic

We studied the mental health of adolescent earthquake survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic by measuring their psychological disorders with the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and their risk factors with the Zung SelfRating Anxiety Scale (SAS). We conducted an exploratory factor analysis and logistic regression modeling and the results revealed that there were high levels of depression and anxiety among the 385 participants. Significant indicators of depression as measured by the SDS were family monthly income, years of education of the adolescents, and marital status of parents. The SAS measured family monthly income as a significant factor predicting anxiety. This study will provide references for future psychological support and early interventions for disadvantaged groups during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Predicting sleep quality and insomnia severity using the components of the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) model: A new perspective

BackgroundAcceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has recently received much attention from therapists working in the field of sleep disorders. However, less attention has been paid to the role of ACT components in sleep problems. To this end, the present study aimed to investigate the role of ACT components in predicting sleep quality and insomnia severity. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on the survivors of a major earthquake (7.3 on the Richter scale in 2017) in urban and rural areas of Kermanshah province (western Iran) 4 years after the earthquake. The data were collected using a questionnaire and data analysis was performed for 1094 people. ResultsThe results showed that all six components of ACT are related to sleep quality and insomnia severity. The findings also revealed that ACT processes can account for 19% of sleep quality and 27% of insomnia severity. Moreover, about 35% of the variances in the sleep quality subscales were predicted by the six components of ACT. The results showed the important role of experiential avoidance (i.e., acceptance) in predicting sleep quality and insomnia severity compared to other ACT processes. ConclusionBased on the results of the present study, it can be suggested all six processes of ACT are correlated with and predictive of sleep quality and insomnia severity. Further, sleep disorder therapists should take special account of acceptance when working with sleep problems because of the importance of acceptance in predicting sleep problems in the present study.

The impact of received social support on posttraumatic growth after disaster: The importance of both support quantity and quality.

Few studies have investigated the relationship between received social support (actual help received) and posttraumatic growth (PTG), and these studies focused only on the quantity of support received. This study examined the joint implications of both the quantity and quality of postdisaster received social support for PTG. Data were collected from Lushan earthquake (China, in 2013) survivors at 7 (n = 199) and 31 (n = 161) months after the earthquake. The main effects of quantity and quality of received support, and the interaction between support quantity and support quality, were examined using hierarchical multiple regression analyses controlling for the extent of disaster exposure, postdisaster negative life events, and sociodemographic factors. Neither quantity nor quality of received social support exerted significant main effects on PTG. However, the influence of the amount of received social support on PTG was moderated by the quality of received social support. Among survivors who appraised the postdisaster social support they received as higher in quality, greater amounts of received support were associated with more subsequent PTG. Among those survivors who appraised the postdisaster social support they received as lower in quality, greater quantity of received support was associated with lower levels of reported PTG. This study calls attention to the importance of enhancing the quality of help provided to disaster survivors because simply "more" support is not necessarily better. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Android Real Time Earthquake & Tsunami Warning Alert System Based on Open Data of Indonesia Government Agency of Geophysics

There are approximately 4000 earthquakes happened in Indonesia per year, whereas earthquakes of a magnitude greater than 5.5, or earthquakes that can be physically felt on land, average around 70-100 per year, and destructive earthquakes around one to two times a year. Not all earthquakes cause tsunamis, but the majority of tsunamis are caused by earthquakes. Since the earth was formed, a number of tsunamis have been happening all over the world. The Aceh tsunami is one of the biggest tsunami history over past 2 decades which occurred on 26 December 2004, claimed the lives of around a quarter of a million people in areas surrounding the Indian Ocean. The very short tsunami arrival time of 10 – 60 minutes is a challenge for tsunami early warning. It also has a direct impact on evacuation procedures and means that evacuation times are very short as well. The objective of this study is to develop android real time earthquake & tsunami alarm as early warning system, evacuation directions and earthquake survivor detection for rescuer to reducing disaster risk. This study used the Research and Development method with the ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluate) procedure. The result of this study the apps obtained less than 5 seconds respond time to proceed the earthquake & tsunami information from BMKG website to trigger early alarm in users android mobile phone. Android alert system more effective because it has a lower response time (< 5 seconds) than previous early warning system with a longer response time (13.48 seconds). In additions, developers improve the system not only distribute earthquake and tsunami information, but also provide evacuation route direction & survivor detection as a disaster risk reduction. Although in actual, this feature has the potential to be disrupted due to the large amount of user traffic. So it requires a large number of server resources if there are many active users.

Psychological resilience and posttraumatic growth in adolescent survivors of earthquake: A 10-year cohort study

This 10-year cohort study explored whether individual differences in resilience during early stages post-earthquake could have diverse impacts on future PTG and whether the impacts varied by sex. 1357 Chinese adolescent survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake were assessed on their resilience at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months post-earthquake. 799 participants responded to an online survey 10 years later, and 744 of which provided useable data for subsequent analysis. Resilience trajectories were modeled using the latent class growth analysis. Linear regressions were used to test the predictive effects of different resilience trajectories on subsequent PTG. Of 744 samples (Mage=15.44, SD = 0.66 at baseline), 59.1% were females. Three trajectories of resilience were identified, including low resilience (19.8%), moderate resilience (58.7%), and high resilience (21.5%). Highly resilient participants reported greater PTG 10 years later (β = 0.12, 95%CI 0.60–6.08) after adjusting for demographic variables, earthquake exposure, negative life events, and mental health problems. Moreover, the same findings only existed in males (β = 0.22, 95%CI 1.26–11.01). Our findings highlight the importance of classifying survivors by resilience trajectories in order to better account for different implications on future PTG. Moreover, sex-specific programs are needed to provide tailored intervention.

Latent classes of posttraumatic stress disorder among survivors of the Bam Earthquake after 17 years

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to identify latent classes of the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the survivors of the earthquake in Bam, south-eastern Iran, 17 years after the disaster. The most influential predictor variables of PTSD classes were also investigated.MethodsEight hundred survivors of the Bam earthquake who were at least four years old in that disaster were selected by multistage sampling. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version was used. Latent class analysis was performed to identify subgroups of people with different PTSD symptom profiles. Latent class regression analysis was used to explore the influence of demographic and traumatic variables on each class membership.ResultsWe found three latent classes of PTSD, with the following profiles emerging: Low Symptom (56.6% of the participants), Moderate Symptom (23.5%), and Severe Symptom (19.9%). Old age [OR = 2.20, 95% CI = (1.46, 3.32)], physical injury [OR = 1.95, 95% CI = (1.24, 3.06)], being trapped under the rubble [OR = 1.81, 95% CI = (1.15, 2.86)], and death of a family member [OR = 1.86, 95% CI = (1.12, 3.09)] were positive risk factors for PTSD and increased the chance of being in classes having more severe symptoms. Having a high educational level was a negative risk factor [OR = 0.86, 95% CI = (0.67, 1.11)].ConclusionsThe severity of PTSD 17 years after the earthquake shows that natural disasters such as earthquakes have long-term consequences, and earthquake survivors must have psychological support and long term health care.After any catastrophic earthquake, governments should establish psychology and psychotherapy centers for earthquake victims, and these centers should support earthquake victims for a sufficiently long time.

Beliefs About Traumatic Memories, Thought Control Strategies, and the Impact on PTSD Symptoms After a Natural Disaster.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships among self-reported meta-memory beliefs, thought control strategies ( i.e. , distraction, reappraisal, worry, social control, and punishment), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology, among a sample of earthquake survivors ( N = 412). Correlational analysis and structural equation modeling were used on the responses and showed that stronger positive and negative meta-memory beliefs, and greater worry and punishment, were associated with greater PTSD symptom severity. The results also indicated that meta-memory beliefs had a prominent indirect influence toward PTSD symptomology via their effects toward thought control strategies. Follow-up analysis of variance indicated that those with a history of mental health difficulties reported higher levels of PTSD symptom severity, were more likely to score in the range of clinically relevant PTSD, and had a stronger tendency to negatively appraise unwanted thinking styles. The results of this research provide overall support for the validity of the metacognitive model for PTSD.

Exploring the buffering role of social capital in the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms among Iranian earthquake survivors.

Social capital, or the resources that an individual can draw on through his or her social networks and the value ascribed to these resources by the individual, has been hypothesized to be an important factor in the development of mental health problems following a natural disaster. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted in this area. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential buffering effect of the 2 types of social capital-bonding and bridging social capital-on the association between severity of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a large sample of earthquake survivors in Iran. Participants were 600 adults who survived the Azarbaijan earthquake in Iran. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling method. PTSD symptoms were reported in 37% of the participants, 95% CI [34%, 41%]. Consistent with prior research, significant differences were found between areas that were highly affected and areas that were less affected by the disaster. Although both bonding and bridging social capitals were negatively related to PTSD symptoms, this buffering effect against PTSD symptoms was about 2 times as large for bridging capital than for bonding social capital. While bridging and bonding social capital are both significant protective factors for mental health outcomes following natural disasters, bridging social capital may be more important. Future directions for this area of research are discussed, as are policy implications for disaster preparedness and postdisaster interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Long-term effectiveness of rehabilitation services delivery for Wenchuan earthquake survivors with impairments over a 4-year period: a prospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo examine long-term effectiveness of rehabilitation services on physical function, pain severity and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in earthquake survivors over a 4-year period.DesignProspective cohort study with early and late...

Role of the National Human Rights Commission for the Protection of Human Rights in Nepal

The article aims to analyze the role of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the protection and promotion of human rights in Nepal. As a constitutional body, NHRC has the key role in the effective protection of the rights of the people which are safeguarded by the constitution and scattered laws. Article 249 of the Constitution of Nepal 2015 has clearly mentioned that it is the duty of the National Human Rights Commission to ensure the respect, protection, and promotion of human rights and its effective implementation. National Human Rights Commission Act, 2012 provides authority to NHRC to protect and promote human rights through inquiries and investigations based on the complaint lodged to the commission by the victim or any person on his/her behalf or upon information received from any source or on its own initiative. Despite the formulation of laws related to human rights, the implementation side is complicated. Use of children in the election, discrimination, labor exploitation of foreign migrant workers, and cases of domestic violence are increasing and the condition of earthquake survivors and the corona pandemic is more pathetic. Thus, the article argues that impunity still persists and the NHRC recommendations have not been implemented and it has not been able to work as per the constitutional mandate. The finding of the study is human rights situation of Nepal is still worrying. The analysis is significant as it helps to understand the human rights situation in Nepal and the functional role played by NHRC to protect human rights as the constitutional commission.

Inverse association of seafood intake with becoming overweight among survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake

Obesity is a major health issue after disaster. However, the types of food associated with obesity that increases in response to prolonged evacuation are unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the association between seafood intake following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and becoming overweight within 2 years after that baseline.We followed 4410 Japanese survivors aged ≥18 years (mean age 62.3 years) who were not overweight at baseline. In 2011, all participants completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding food intake and lifestyle and had a subsequent follow-up in 2013. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed.During the 2-year follow-up, 296 participants became overweight. Frequency of fish and shellfish intake in men was significantly and inversely associated with becoming overweight after adjusting for confounding factors. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for becoming overweight in men was lower in the group with the highest intake of fish and shellfish (odds ratio 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.06–0.90) than in the group with the lowest intake in Model 1, and the trend was statistically significant in all models. This significant association was observed in temporary housing but not in non-temporary housing.We showed that consuming seafood may have an obesity-suppressing effect in men who suffered from disaster and lived in temporary housing. Seafood might be a key factor in reducing overweight/obesity not only after a disaster but also during a pandemic and in regions with low seafood intake.

How to improve the long-term quality of life, insomnia, and depression of survivors 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake? A network analysis.

Previous studies have found a negative effect of depression and insomnia on the psychological health domain of quality of life (QOL) among earthquake survivors. However, little is known about the symptom-to-symptom interactions among the above psychological outcomes. This study thus aimed to assess the interplay among the above three variables in survivors 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake at the symptom level. A total of 744 survivors completed the questionnaire at 10 years post-earthquake, reporting depressive symptoms, insomnia symptoms, and the psychological health domain of QOL. All network structures were estimated and compared using the network analysis approach in R version 4.1.1. Among the 744 survivors, 593 individuals did not have significant depressive and insomnia symptoms, while 151 individuals reported depressive and/or insomnia symptoms. "Little energy", "Suicidal ideation", and "Spirituality" were the key highest bridge symptoms in the three networks, respectively. Additionally, there were significant differences in network global strength, network structure, and individual edge weights between individuals with and without depression and/or insomnia. Intervention programs aimed at treating symptoms, such as exercise therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and spirituality education, may improve the QOL of survivors following an earthquake.

Impact of lifestyle and psychosocial factors on the onset of hypertension after the Great East Japan earthquake: a 7-year follow-up of the Fukushima Health Management Survey.

Natural disasters force many evacuees to change several aspects of their lifestyles. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate whether factors such as living environment and lifestyle factors were related to new-onset hypertension in survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake over a long-term follow-up of up to 7 years after the earthquake. The present study examined data collected from 29,025 Japanese participants aged 39-89 years, sourced from general health checkups and the Fukushima Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey, which was conducted in 13 communities between 2011 and 2018. A total of 10,861 participants received follow-up examinations. During a median follow-up of 4.3 years, 3744 participants (1588 men, 41.4%; 2,156 women, 30.7%) had newly developed hypertension. Heavy drinking (adjusted hazard ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.21-1.57, p < 0.001) and obesity (adjusted hazard ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.19-1.37, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with new-onset hypertension after the disaster in multivariate-adjusted analysis. Furthermore, experiencing evacuation after the disaster was also significantly associated with the risk of new-onset hypertension in men (adjusted hazard ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.27, p = 0.016). The present study indicated that lifestyle factors, such as drinking and obesity, and evacuation experience in men had significant effects on the risk of new-onset hypertension in the long term after the earthquake.

Control-Focused Behavioral Treatment: A brief intervention for survivors of war and torture

This article briefly reviews the evolution and evidence-base of Control-Focused Behavioral Treatment (CFBT), largely self-helpbased treatment that involves no cognitive interventions, focuses solely on reducing avoidance behaviors through self-exposure to anxiety-evoking trauma cues, and, unlike other interventions, aims to enhance sense of control over traumatic stressors, rather than anxiety reduction. As such, it is radicallydifferent from other interventions in both theory and practice. Our studies have shown improvement rates of 80%-85% with a single treatment session in earthquake survivors. When administered in an average of 6 sessions in war and torture survivors, it achieved 82% reduction in posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD), leaving 97% of the cases nearly asymptomatic or with only mild PTSD symptoms. Meta-analytical comparisons suggest that such improvement rates are substantially higher than those achieved byother evidence-based treatments.

Dakwah Pencerahan di Ruang Mitigasi Penyintas Gempa Sulawesi Barat

This study aims to describe "da'wah pencerahan” (enlightening proselytism) in the mitigation sphere of the West Sulawesi earthquake survivors, conducted by the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC). This research is a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach. The research findings state that, first, the enlightening da'wah is carried out through a number of socio-cultural activities that are oriented toward building logical thoughts and positive attitudes for survivors in responding to disasters. Second, the enlightening da'wah is carried out through three methods, namely da'wah bi al-lisan or verbal socialisation in public places and in places of worship; da'wah bi al-kitabah conducted through written messages via brochures and social media; da'wah bi al-hal (bi al-a'mal) which is carried out through measurable and planned actions. Third, the enlightenment da'wah movement of MDMC is open, inclusive, and universal for humanity.

Association between cognitive social capital and all-cause mortality in Great East Japan Earthquake survivors: a prospective cohort study

ObjectivesCognitive social capital (SC), such as attitude, trust, or norms, may help improve resilience among survivors, thus improving their health. However, the association between cognitive SC and the risk of all-cause mortality among survivors after the natural disaster has never been investigated. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the association between cognitive SC and the risk of all-cause mortality among survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). Study designProspective cohort study. MethodsWe conducted a health survey on 1654 residents aged ≥18 years who lived in two areas affected by the GEJE. One year after the GEJE, between June and August 2012, cognitive SC (helping each other, trust, greeting, and solving problems together) was assessed using a self-administrated questionnaire. We divided the subjects into two groups based on response to questionnaire: “high” or “low.” We obtained information on death and emigration from the Residential Registration Record and followed up on the participants from June 2012 to November 2020. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used for estimating the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of all-cause mortality according to each cognitive SC indicator. ResultsDuring the 8.5 years of follow-up, 213 subjects died (12.9%). For greeting, compared with subjects who were “high,” subjects who were “low” were significantly associated with the risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.19–7.17). No statistically significant association was observed for helping each other, trust, and solving problems together. ConclusionOur findings suggest that perception of greeting may be associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in survivors after natural disasters.

Seven-year incidence of new-onset hypertension by frequency of dairy intake among survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Survivors of natural disasters are at a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Behavioral risk factors, including modifiable diet, need to be identified. Thus far, the association between dairy intake and new-onset hypertension among these survivors is unknown. Therefore, we investigated this relationship. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 4475 survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 who participated in a 7-year follow-up survey. New-onset hypertension was assessed using annual health checkup data. Information on the frequency of dairy intake was obtained using a self-report questionnaire. The hazard ratio for developing hypertension according to the frequency of dairy intake was calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. The total number of person-years observed was 20,042, with a median follow-up of 5.4 years. During the observation period, 1554 individuals developed hypertension. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios of new-onset hypertension were significantly lower in those who consumed dairy products once per day (0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.71-0.94) and twice or more times per day (0.84, 95% confidence interval 0.71-0.99) than in nonconsumers; the inverse linear trend was marginally significant (P = 0.083). This association was not affected by lipid metabolism and was consistent across subgroups by sex, age, behavioral factors, cardiometabolic factors, and housing type due to the disaster. A higher frequency of dairy intake was associated with a lower risk of new-onset hypertension in community-dwelling survivors of earthquakes and tsunamis. Dietary guidance involving dairy intake could reduce the risk of developing hypertension among these survivors.

Application of Collaborative Governance to Handle Earthquake Victims in West Nusa Tenggara

This research aimed to analyze the implementation of collaborative governance in providing shelters for earthquake survivors in West Nusa Tenggara Province. It was hoped that this could help in developing a collaborative governance application model that could then be used in other areas of Indonesia. This research was conducted using qualitative descriptive methods. The findings provided an overview of the implementation of collaborative governance and the problems faced at the policy, institutional and technical operations levels. Based on the results, it is suggested that in providing shelters for disaster-affected survivors, a collaborative governance model should be used, and that a formal policy on implementing collaborative governance in disaster management in Indonesia should be developed.&#x0D; Keywords: collaborative governance, natural disaster, earthquake, shelter, emergency response

Examining the relationship between social support and tendency to substance use among Iranian earthquake survivors: The mediating role of positive mental health

Increasing natural hazards have caused various social issues among survivors. This study was conducted to investigate the mediating role of positive mental health between social support and tendency to substance use among Kermanshah earthquake survivors in Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021. Participants were 450 survivors over 18 years old experienced 2017 Kermanshah Earthquake and were selected using a multistage sampling method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, AMOS Graphics, and Stata. According to the results, the relationship between positive mental health and socioeconomic status (β = 0.25), and having an own home (β = 0.082) was positive and significant. The relationship between tendency to substance use and education level (β = −0.126) was negative and significant. Men were also more likely to use substance than women (β = 0.10). Indirect relationship between social support and the tendency to substance use was not statistically significant (Beta = 0.03, p = 0.54, Z = 0.613). In addition, the main hypothesis of the study, namely the mediating role of positive mental health between social support and tendency to substance use was not confirmed. According to the findings, another variable may play a mediating role in relationship between social support and substance use among earthquake survivors. Considering the relationship between social support and positive mental health separately with the tendency to substance use, relevant authorities should plan and policy by acting appropriately to improve social support and positive mental health and, consequently, reduce substance use.

PKM Menulis Ekspresif untuk Menurunkan Trauma Penyintas Bencana Sulawesi Barat

Abstract The partner of this Community Partnership Program (PKM) was a Desa Taan. The problem found was that the survivors of the earthquake were traumatized, thus disrupting their daily lives. The target of this program is earthquake survivors. The method used is that the survivors are asked to write expressively four times in a row, for four days. Survivors were asked to write about their thoughts, experiences, and feelings related to the earthquake they experienced. The final results showed that there were positive changes in the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of the disaster survivors who participated in this programKeywords: earthquake disaster, expressive writing, survivor