Mental health of vulnerable groups experiencing a drought or bushfire: A systematic review

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version

Version of Record (VoR)

Author(s)
Varshney, Karan
Makleff, Shelly
Krishna, Revathi
Romero, Lorena
Willems, Julie
Wickes, Rebecca
Fisher, Jane
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2023
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract

Natural hazards are increasing because of climate change, and they disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Prior reviews of the mental health consequences of natural hazard events have not focused on the particular experiences of vulnerable groups. Based on the expected increase in fires and droughts in the coming years, the aim of this systematic review is to synthesize the global evidence about the mental health of vulnerable populations after experiencing natural hazards. We searched databases such as Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Ovid PsycInfo using a systematic strategy, which yielded 3,401 publications. We identified 18 eligible studies conducted in five different countries with 15,959 participants. The most common vulnerabilities were living in a rural area, occupying a low socioeconomic position, being a member of an ethnic minority and having a medical condition. Common experiences reported by vulnerable individuals affected by drought included worry, hopelessness, isolation and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Those affected by fire reported experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anger. These mental health problems exacerbated existing health and socioeconomic challenges. The evidence base about mental health in vulnerable communities affected by natural hazards can be improved by including standardized measures and comparison groups, examining the role of intersectional vulnerabilities, and disaggregating data routinely to allow for analyses of the particular experiences of vulnerable communities. Such efforts will help ensure that programs are informed by an understanding of the unique needs of these communities.

Journal Title

Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

10

Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.

Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Persistent link to this record
Citation

Varshney, K; Makleff, S; Krishna, R; Romero, L; Willems, J; Wickes, R; Fisher, J, Mental health of vulnerable groups experiencing a drought or bushfire: A systematic review, Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health, 2023, 10, pp. e24

Collections