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Nordström EEL, Kaltiala R, Kristensen P, Thimm JC. Bereaved parents' and siblings' healthcare needs, healthcare utilization, and satisfaction with healthcare services eight years after the 2011 Utøya terror attack. DEATH STUDIES 2024:1-13. [PMID: 39269892 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2400366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the healthcare needs of bereaved individuals following terrorism is crucial for organizing healthcare services. This cross-sectional study examined the terror-related healthcare needs, healthcare utilization, and satisfaction with professional healthcare among 122 traumatically bereaved parents and siblings eight years after the 2011 Utøya terrorist attack in Norway. Results showed that over 50% of the participants currently needed help coping with their grief or with mental and somatic symptoms, and only 34% were actively utilizing healthcare related to the terror attack. Furthermore, 68% reported not getting sufficient help, suggesting a treatment gap. One-third rated the professional help and treatment as unsatisfactory, with 28% reporting that they had not received competent help. More somatic and posttraumatic stress symptoms were associated with higher healthcare needs, whilst higher levels of insomnia symptoms were associated with lower healthcare satisfaction. This emphasizes the need to recognize, professionally intervene, and provide competent support for traumatically bereaved individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Riittakerttu Kaltiala
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Vanha Vaasa Hospital, Vaasa, Finland
| | - Pål Kristensen
- Center for Crisis Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jens C Thimm
- Center for Crisis Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Psychology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Strøm IF, Wentzel-Larsen T, Stensland S, Dyb G, Stene LE. Health care needs, experiences, and satisfaction after terrorism: a longitudinal study of parents of survivors of the Utøya attack. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:277. [PMID: 38454472 PMCID: PMC10921612 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10592-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is scarce knowledge on the health care follow-up of parents of terror attack survivors. This study focused on the mothers and fathers of survivors and examined (1) their perceived health care needs relative to their psychological reactions, physical health problems (unmet health care needs), and adaptation to work; (2) whether sociodemographic characteristics, health problems and social support were associated with unmet health care needs; and (3) how unmet health care needs, sociodemographic characteristics, and experiences with health services associated with overall dissatisfaction during the health care follow-up. METHODS Interview and questionnaire data from three waves of the Utøya parent study were analyzed (n = 364). Chi-square tests and t- tests were used to compare unmet physical and psychological health care needs, sociodemographic factors and post-terror attack health reported by mothers and fathers. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine whether sociodemographic characteristics, unmet health care needs, and health care experiences were associated with overall dissatisfaction among mothers and fathers of the survivors during the health care follow-up. RESULTS Among the mothers, 43% reported unmet health care needs for psychological reactions, while 25% reported unmet health care needs for physical problems. Among the fathers, 36% reported unmet health care needs for psychological reactions, and 15% reported unmet health care needs for physical problems. Approximately 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers reported "very high/high" needs for adaptation to work. Poorer self-perceived health, higher levels of posttraumatic stress and anxiety/depression symptoms, and lower levels of social support were significantly associated with reported unmet psychological and physical health care needs in both mothers and fathers. Parents with unmet health care needs reported significantly lower satisfaction with the help services received compared to parents whose health care needs were met. Low accessibility of help services and not having enough time to talk and interact with health care practitioners were associated with overall dissatisfaction with the help received. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight that parents of terror-exposed adolescents are at risk of having unmet psychological and physical health care needs and thus need to be included in proactive outreach and health care follow-up programs in the aftermath of a terror attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Frugård Strøm
- Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Pb 181 Nydalen, 0409, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Tore Wentzel-Larsen
- Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Pb 181 Nydalen, 0409, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Synne Stensland
- Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Pb 181 Nydalen, 0409, Oslo, Norway
- Research and Communication Unit for Musculoskeletal Health (FORMI), Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Grete Dyb
- Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Pb 181 Nydalen, 0409, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lise Eilin Stene
- Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Pb 181 Nydalen, 0409, Oslo, Norway
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Pirard P, Motreff Y, Stene LE, Rabet G, Vuillermoz C, Vandentorren S, Baubet T, Messiah A. Initiation of multiple-session psychological care in civilians exposed to the November 2015 Paris terrorist attacks. Arch Public Health 2023; 81:207. [PMID: 38031202 PMCID: PMC10685664 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-023-01206-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Terrorist attacks can induce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, which require multiple-session psychological care (MSPC). This study aims at investigating MSPC initiation and associated factors. METHODS Data were collected from a web-based survey of civilians 8-12 months after their exposure to the November 2015 Paris terrorist attacks. Depression and partial and full PTSD were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the PCL-5 checklist, respectively. Questionnaires collected data on socio-demographic variables, exposure to the attacks, psychological treatment history, social isolation, somatic problems, having received an outreach psychological support (OPS), consultations with a general practitioner, contact with an association for victims, MSPC initiation and, if not, reasons for not having initiated it. Logistic regressions were used to examine factors associated with MSPC initiation. RESULTS Among the 450 respondents, 154 reported having initiated a MSPC after the attacks. Of the 134 who provided the MSPC initiation date, 50% did so during the first month. Among the respondents with at least one of the considered psychological disorders, 53% declared not having initiated yet a MSPC. The primary three reasons for not having initiated a MSPC among people with PTSD were "did not feel the need", "it was not the right time to talk about it", and "not offered". For people with at least one psychological disorder, MSPC initiation was associated with the number of somatic problems, type of exposure (witness, threatened, indirectly exposed), prior psychological treatment, being a woman, being in a relationship, having consulted a psychiatrist or a psychologist, having received an OPS, and being in contact with association for victims. CONCLUSION The organization of adequate psychological care after a terror attack must take into account the need for healthcare that may emerge several months after the attack, and that witnesses seem less likely to receive MSPC than persons directly threatened despite their psychological disorder. Associations for victims and OPS seem to facilitate access to MSPC. Furthermore, our findings highlight the need to train physicians to screen for psychological disorders in persons exposed to terrorist attacks who present with somatic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Pirard
- Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, Saint-Maurice, F-94415, France.
- Team MOODS, Inserm-CESP, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, 94807, Villejuif, France.
| | - Yvon Motreff
- Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, Saint-Maurice, F-94415, France
- Department of Social Epidemiology, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, F75012, France
| | - Lise Eilin Stene
- Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS), Oslo, Norway
| | - Gabrielle Rabet
- Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, Saint-Maurice, F-94415, France
| | - Cécile Vuillermoz
- Department of Social Epidemiology, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, F75012, France
| | - Stéphanie Vandentorren
- Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, Saint-Maurice, F-94415, France
- UMR 1219, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, PHARes Team, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Thierry Baubet
- Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, UTRPP EA 4403, Villetaneuse, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France
- Resources and Resilience National Centre (CN2R), LilleParis, France
| | - Antoine Messiah
- Team MOODS, Inserm-CESP, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, 94807, Villejuif, France
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Xiao Q, Song X, Huang X, Meng X. Reliability and Validity of Chinese Version of the Perceived Competence Scale for Disaster Mental Health Workforce: A Cross-Sectional Study. Psychiatry Investig 2023; 20:220-227. [PMID: 36990665 PMCID: PMC10064204 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2022.0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to translate the English version of the Perceived Competence Scale for Disaster Mental Health Workforce (PCS-DMHW) into Chinese, and to test its reliability and validity in Chinese mental health workers. METHODS With the consent of Professor Choi, Keimyung University, Korea, and the authorization of the scale, the English version of PCS-DMHW was translated, retranslated and culturally debugged to form the Chinese version of PCS-DMHW. The general information questionnaire and the Chinese version of PCS-DMHW scale were used to investigate 706 mental health workforce from 9 tertiary hospitals in Sichuan province in China from March 24, 2020 to April 14, 2020. The Cronbach's α coefficient was used to evaluate the internal consistency reliability of the scale, and the test-retest correlation coefficient r was used to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the scale. The content validity indexes (CVI) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used separately for evaluating the content validity and structure validity of the scale. RESULTS The Cronbach's α coefficient of the Chinese version of PCS-DMHW total scale, individual competences and organizational competences subscale was 0.978, 0.956, and 0.964, respectively. The test-retest reliability of the total scale, individual competences and organizational competences subscale was 0.949, 0.932 and 0.927, respectively. The item-level CVI of all scale were ranged from 0.833-1.000, the scale-level CVI (S-CVI)/universal agreement of the total scale, individual competences and organizational competences subscale was 0.833, 0.875, and 0.857, respectively, and the S-CVI/average was 0.972, 0.979, and 0.976, respectively. EFA showed that two principal components were extracted from the subscale of individual competences and organizational competences. CONCLUSION The Chinese version of PCS-DMHW has good reliability and validity, and can be widely used in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Xiao
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaozhen Song
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuehua Huang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiandong Meng
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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A Qualitative Longitudinal Study of Injuries and Medical Care, Assistance, and Losses Recounted by Oklahoma City Bombing Survivors after Nearly a Quarter Century. Prehosp Disaster Med 2022; 37:584-592. [PMID: 35950447 PMCID: PMC9470516 DOI: 10.1017/s1049023x22001133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Terrorist incidents occur with alarming frequency. Much is known about acute injuries and psychopathology arising from terrorism, as well as medical care and functional status assessed in early post-disaster periods. Survivors’ memories of these experiences may change over subsequent decades, and their perspectives may evolve. Little information is available on how survivors describe these experiences decades later. Study Objective: This longitudinal qualitative study of directly-exposed survivors of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing was conducted nearly a quarter century after the disaster. It collected systematic, open-ended descriptions of survivors’ injuries and medical care, assistance received and given, and disaster-associated losses. It sought to illuminate whether survivors recall long-term consequences of disaster exposure so long after the event, providing important details with great clarity and associated emotion, or alternatively lose memory and sharpness of recollection for these aspects of their bombing experience. Methods: A sample of 182 bombing survivors was randomly recruited from a state registry of 1,092 bombing survivors and interviewed at approximately six months after the bombing (71% participation). The sample was re-interviewed an average of 23 years after the disaster (72% follow-up participation) using an open-ended interview with survivors describing in their own words their personal experience of the bombing and its effects on their lives. The interviews were audio recorded and professionally transcribed. Themes were identified in the text of the interviews, and passages were coded using qualitative software, achieving excellent inter-rater reliability for each theme. This article covers three of twelve total themes identified. Results: Nearly a quarter century after the bombing, this highly trauma-exposed Oklahoma City bombing survivor sample had memories that were still vivid, graphic, and evocative. They described injuries and medical care, assistance given and received, and losses with great detail and intensity. Despite the continuing strong emotions expressed by these survivors in relation to the bombing, the qualitative content suggested that lasting psychopathology was not a central concern. Conclusion: This is one of the longest prospective longitudinal, qualitative studies ever conducted with highly trauma-exposed survivors of a terrorist bombing. These findings are critical to disaster emergency response and effective management of the disaster response and early care for the survivors, as the effects of the disaster may shape the rest of their lives.
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Self-Efficacy and Mental Health Help-Seeking Behavior of World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees, 2015-2016. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127113. [PMID: 35742367 PMCID: PMC9222698 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The September 11th World Trade Center (WTC) disaster resulted in an elevated prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among those directly exposed, yet lower than expected rates of mental health treatment seeking and high levels of reported perceived unmet mental healthcare need were observed in this population in the years following. Self-efficacy, an individual's self-perception of their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task or goal, may in part explain this discrepancy; however, little is known about its interplay with the help-seeking behaviors of disaster-exposed populations. We used WTC Health Registry data (n = 11,851) to describe the relationship between self-efficacy and three outcomes related to help-seeking behavior: (1) seeking mental health treatment, (2) perceived unmet mental health care needs, and (3) satisfaction with mental health treatment. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We found a dose-response relationship between self-efficacy score and mental health help-seeking: for every one unit increase in self-efficacy score, we observed a 6% increase in the odds of having treatment 4 to 12 months ago (OR = 1.06, CI: 1.03-1.09), a 7% increase in the odds of having had treatment 1 to 2 years ago (OR = 1.07, CI: 1.04, 1.09), and a 10% increase in the odds of having sought treatment 2 or more years ago (OR = 1.10, CI: 1.08, 1.12) compared to those who had sought treatment more recently. An understanding of individual self-efficacy may help improve post-disaster mental health treatment in order to provide more tailored and helpful care.
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Motreff Y, Pirard P, Vuillermoz C, Rabet G, Petitclerc M, Stene LE, Baubet T, Chauvin P, Vandentorren S. Mental health care utilization by first responders after Paris attacks. Occup Med (Lond) 2021; 72:81-90. [PMID: 34729607 PMCID: PMC8863088 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqab150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background First responders (FRs) are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic events, including terror attacks, and may consequently be at risk of developing mental health disorders. Prior research suggests that FRs with mental health disorders often do not receive appropriate treatment. More knowledge is needed about their use of mental health care (MHC). Aims This study aimed to identify factors associated with receiving immediate support, post-immediate support and engagement in MHC among FRs of the November 2015 terror attacks in Paris. Methods A web-based study was conducted 8–12 months after the attacks on 663 FRs who were mobilized during the night and/or the aftermath of the attacks. Logistic regression was performed to analyse factors associated with MHC. Results Overall, 44 FRs sought MHC. Among FRs with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), partial PTSD or depression (n = 60), 38% sought MHC (n = 23). Post-immediate support was associated with immediate support, and both were associated with knowing someone who could help regarding the potential psychological risks following a traumatic event. MHC engagement was associated with a history of MHC, post-immediate support and the presence of PTSD, partial PTSD or depression. Conclusions Among FRs with PTSD, partial PTSD or depression, few sought MHC. Improved access to MHC for FRs after terror attacks is essential. Knowing someone who could help regarding potential psychological risks may facilitate immediate and/or post-immediate support. Furthermore, post-immediate support could encourage engagement in MHC. Efforts should be made before and after potentially traumatic events to ensure mental health education for FR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Motreff
- Santé publique France, Direction des maladies non transmissibles et traumatismes, Saint-Maurice, France.,INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Department of Social Epidemiology, Paris, France
| | - P Pirard
- Santé publique France, Direction des maladies non transmissibles et traumatismes, Saint-Maurice, France.,MOODS, INSERM U 1018, CESP, Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - C Vuillermoz
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Department of Social Epidemiology, Paris, France
| | - G Rabet
- Santé publique France, Direction appui, traitements et analyses des données, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - M Petitclerc
- Service médical d'urgence-bureau de santé et de prévention, Brigade de sapeurs-pompiers de Paris, 1, place Jules-Renard, Paris, France.,Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Ecole doctorale Erasme, Laboratoire UTRPP, Villetaneuse, France
| | - L Eilin Stene
- Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS), Oslo, Norway
| | - T Baubet
- Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Ecole doctorale Erasme, Laboratoire UTRPP, Villetaneuse, France.,APHP Hôpital Avicenne, Psychopathology Department for Children, Adolescents, General Psychiatry and Specialized Addiction, Bobigny, France.,Centre National de Ressources et de Résilience Lille-Paris (CN2R), Lille, France
| | - P Chauvin
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Department of Social Epidemiology, Paris, France
| | - S Vandentorren
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Department of Social Epidemiology, Paris, France.,Santé publique France, Direction des régions, Saint-Maurice, France
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Rigutto C, Sapara AO, Agyapong VIO. Anxiety, Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder after Terrorist Attacks: A General Review of the Literature. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:bs11100140. [PMID: 34677233 PMCID: PMC8533613 DOI: 10.3390/bs11100140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrorism, though not well-defined, is a violent act that has been shown to have longstanding effects on the mental health of those who witness it. The aim of this general literature review is to explore the effect that terrorism has on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders, as well as the bio-psycho-social determinants that mediate its impact. This paper describes the prevalence, risk factors, protective factors, common presentations and interventions identified for PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders occurring following terrorist attacks. We conducted a literature search in MEDLINE using a number of keywords detailed below. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we kept 80 articles, which we summarized in tabular form. A majority of articles found detailed the impact of terrorism on PTSD, and took place in a Western, mainly American setting. The main factors that impacted the presentation of mental illness include gender, ethnicity, social supports, socioeconomic status, level of preparedness, level of exposure, pre-existing trauma and mental illness, and subsequent life stressors. The main intervention detailed in this article as showing evidence post-terrorism is trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy. This study highlights the importance of this topic, and in particular, its implications for public health policy and practice.
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Van Overmeire R, Muysewinkel E, Van Keer RL, Vesentini L, Bilsen J. Victims of the Terrorist Attacks in Belgium and Professional Mental Health Aid Barriers: A Qualitative Study. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:638272. [PMID: 34276430 PMCID: PMC8283008 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.638272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Terrorist attacks can cause short and long-term stress-reactions, anxiety, and depression among those exposed. Sometimes, professional mental health aid, meaning all types of professional psychotherapy, would be appropriate, but victims often delay or never access mental health aid, even up to a decade after the initial event. Little is known about the barriers terrorist-victims encounter when they try to access professional mental health aid. Method: Using a qualitative design, 27 people exposed to the 22/03/2016 terrorist attack in Belgium were interviewed using half-structured, in-depth interviews, on their experiences with professional mental health aid. A reflexive thematic analysis was employed. Results: Five main barriers for professional mental health aid seeking by victims were found. First, their perception of a lack of expertise of mental health aid professionals. Second, the lack of incentives to overcome their uncertainty to contact a professional. Third, social barriers: people did not feel supported by their social network, feared stigma, or trusted that the support of their social network would be enough to get them through any difficulties. Fourth, a lack of mental health literacy, which seems to be needed to recognize the mental health issues they are facing. Finally, there are financial barriers. The cost of therapy is often too high to begin or continue therapy. Conclusions: This study showed that the barriers for seeking professional mental health aid are diverse and not easily overcome. More mental health promotion is needed, so that there is a societal awareness of possible consequences of being exposed to terrorist attacks, which might result in less stigma, and a quicker realization of possible harmful stress reactions due to a disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roel Van Overmeire
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group (MENT), Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emilie Muysewinkel
- Interuniversity Centre for Health Economics Research (I-CHER), Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rose-Lima Van Keer
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group (MENT), Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lara Vesentini
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group (MENT), Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johan Bilsen
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group (MENT), Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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An Exploration of Discrepancies and Concordances Between Hospital Disaster Directors and General Health Care Providers in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea: Quantitative Analysis of a Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2020; 15:608-614. [PMID: 32493521 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2020.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the perception of disaster issues between disaster directors and general health care providers in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. METHODS The Gyeonggi provincial committee distributed a survey to acute care facility personnel. Survey topics included awareness of general disaster issues, hospital preparedness, and training priorities. The questionnaire comprised multiple choices and items scored on a 10-point Likert scale. We analyzed the discrepancies and characteristics of the responses. RESULTS Completed surveys were returned from 43 (67%) of 64 directors and 145 (55.6%) of 261 health care providers. In the field of general awareness, the topic of how to triage in disaster response showed the greatest discrepancies. In the domain of hospital level disaster preparedness, individual opinions varied most within the topics of incident command, manual preparation. The responses to "accept additional patients in disaster situation" showed the biggest differences (> 21 versus 6~10). CONCLUSIONS In this study, there were disaster topics with discrepancies and concordances in perception between disaster directors and general health care providers. The analysis would present baseline information for the development of better training programs for region-specific core competencies, knowledge, and skills required for the effective response.
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Scherrer JF, Salas J, Schnurr PP. Repeated Assessment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Severity and the Risk of Mortality. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e1920493. [PMID: 32022872 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.20493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey F Scherrer
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
- Harry S. Truman Veterans Administration Medical Center, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Joanne Salas
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
- Harry S. Truman Veterans Administration Medical Center, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD and Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
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Editorial for "Long-Term Health Effects of the 9/11 Disaster" in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2019. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16183289. [PMID: 31500226 PMCID: PMC6765956 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16183289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The call for articles on the long term health effects of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks (9/11) has resulted in twenty-three papers that add a significant amount of information to the growing body of research on the effects of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster almost two decades later [...].
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