Being hit twice: The psychological consequences of the economic crisis and an earthquake

Impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on the Employment Status and Mental Health Conditions of Affected Coastal Communities

The Great East Japan Earthquake devasted the old community in coastal areas characterized by primary industry. The number of unemployed people increased from 150,000 to 190,000 after the earthquake. All of the adult residents of Shichigahama (18 years old or older), located in the coastal area of the Miyagi prefecture, whose houses were totally or majorly damaged, were recruited for a survey conducted in October 2011. All of the residents who responded with written informed consent were included in this study. Among 904 individuals who had a job before the Great East Japan Earthquake, 19% became unemployed. Concerning gender and age, 9% of young men, 34% of elderly men, 21% of young women, and 49% of elderly women became unemployed. Concerning the type of industry, 38%, 15%, and 16% of people who had belonged to the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries, respectively, before the disaster became unemployed. Those who became unemployed exhibited a significantly higher risk of insomnia compared to those who maintained jobs. The study pointed out the severe impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on populations who had belonged to the primary industry, especially among elderly women, and its effect on sleep conditions.

Metabolic Syndrome, Anxiety and Depression in a Sample of Italian Primary Care Patients

This cross-sectional study aimed at measuring the correlation and association of anxiety, depression and comorbid anxiety-depression symptoms with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a sample of Italian primary care patients who attended their General Practitioner clinics over a 1-month period in 2013. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms. The sample was made up of 129 patients (57% women; mean age, 61 ± 12 years). The prevalence of MetS varied from 40% (Adult Treatment Panel III-Revised criteria) to 48% (International Diabetes Federation criteria). The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and comorbid anxiety and depression was, respectively, 26%, 2%, and 15%. MetS (defined according to Adult Treatment Panel III-Revised criteria) was associated with comorbid anxiety-depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 3.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26-11.71), but not with anxiety or depressive symptoms only. Out of the individual components of MetS, enlarged waist circumference was associated with anxiety symptoms (OR = 4.22, 95% CI = 1.56-11.44).