Coping styles and mental health outcomes of community members affected by black summer 2019-20 bushfires in Australia

Title
Coping styles and mental health outcomes of community members affected by black summer 2019-20 bushfires in Australia
Publication Date
2022-10
Author(s)
Usher, Kim
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9686-5003
Email: kusher@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:kusher
Durkin, Joanne
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9948-4794
Email: jdurkin4@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:jdurkin4
Douglas, Lesley
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6913-9949
Email: ldougla8@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:ldougla8
Coffey, Yumiko
Bhullar, Navjot
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1616-6094
Email: nbhulla2@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:nbhulla2
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Place of publication
Australia
DOI
10.1111/inm.13035
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/54566
Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate coping styles, posttraumatic stress, and mental health symptoms among a sample of community members affected by 2019-20 Australian bushfires. Using a convenience sampling approach, an online survey was used to assess a range of coping strategies, posttraumatic stress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among the affected community members of Black Summer bushfires. The results revealed that study participants reported moderate symptoms of depression and stress, and severe levels of anxiety. Additionally, participants reported use of both approach and avoidance coping strategies following the bushfire event as well as experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress, such as having intrusive thoughts and symptoms of avoidance and hyperarousal. Despite the durability of many individuals, others remain affected by the event and there is evidence there may be longer term mental health consequences of the bushfires for some people. Given these findings, it is imperative that mental health services be readily available for people in the bushfire-affected areas. Mental health nurses have an important role to play in supporting individuals affected by disasters. Awareness of the short- and long-term impacts of disasters on the mental health of people is paramount for mental health nurses.

Link
Citation
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 31(5), p. 1176-1185
ISSN
1447-0349
1445-8330
Pubmed ID
35731685
Start page
1176
End page
1185

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