Abstract

The proposed research seeks to study characteristics of disasters that may affect mental health. The role of the duration of threat, the origin of threat (i.e., whether a disaster is a natural or human-made emergency) and the effects of blame, control, and mental health history in generating mental health and stress-related consequences will be examined. Five hundred subjects drawn from areas victimized by disasters varying along these dimensions, as well as from comparison (nonvictimized) sites will be studied, and broad-based measures of the prevalence and intensity of chronic psychological and stress effects will be collected. Analyses will be directed toward evaluating the role of these dimensions in producing chronic effects. The proposed research will provide comparative data on several types of disasters, provide important information about the differences between natural and human-made disasters, and provide useful information about disaster characteristics that will help plan mental health service delivery by providing better understanding of the needs of communities victimized by different disasters.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH040106-03
Application #
3378065
Study Section
(EPSB)
Project Start
1985-04-15
Project End
1990-04-30
Budget Start
1987-04-01
Budget End
1990-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
U.S. Uniformed Services University of Health Science
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Bethesda
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20814

  Publications

Dougall, A L; Ursano, R J; Posluszny, D M et al. (2001) Predictors of posttraumatic stress among victims of motor vehicle accidents. Psychosom Med 63:402-11
Fullerton, C S; Ursano, R J; Epstein, R S et al. (2001) Gender differences in posttraumatic stress disorder after motor vehicle accidents. Am J Psychiatry 158:1486-91
Fullerton, C S; Ursano, R J; Epstein, R S et al. (2000) Peritraumatic dissociation following motor vehicle accidents: relationship to prior trauma and prior major depression. J Nerv Ment Dis 188:267-72
Hawk, L W; Dougall, A L; Ursano, R J et al. (2000) Urinary catecholamines and cortisol in recent-onset posttraumatic stress disorder after motor vehicle accidents. Psychosom Med 62:423-34
Ursano, R J; Fullerton, C S; Epstein, R S et al. (1999) Peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress disorder following motor vehicle accidents. Am J Psychiatry 156:1808-10
Benight, C C; Ironson, G; Durham, R L (1999) Psychometric properties of a hurricane coping self-efficacy measure. J Trauma Stress 12:379-86
Ursano, R J; Fullerton, C S; Epstein, R S et al. (1999) Acute and chronic posttraumatic stress disorder in motor vehicle accident victims. Am J Psychiatry 156:589-95
Dougall, A L; Craig, K J; Baum, A (1999) Assessment of characteristics of intrusive thoughts and their impact on distress among victims of traumatic events. Psychosom Med 61:38-48
Delahanty, D L; Herberman, H B; Craig, K J et al. (1997) Acute and chronic distress and posttraumatic stress disorder as a function of responsibility for serious motor vehicle accidents. J Consult Clin Psychol 65:560-7
Ironson, G; Wynings, C; Schneiderman, N et al. (1997) Posttraumatic stress symptoms, intrusive thoughts, loss, and immune function after Hurricane Andrew. Psychosom Med 59:128-41

Showing the most recent 10 out of 13 publications