Cyclone bola: A study of the psychological after-effects

The present study investigated long-term psychological effects of Cyclone Bola, which struck the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island in March, 1988. Using mailed self-report questionnaires, data was collected from 118 individuals who had been evacuated from their homes during Cyclone Bola,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anxiety, stress, and coping stress, and coping, 1999-01, Vol.12 (3), p.285-298
Main Authors: Eustace, Kerry, Macdonald, Carol, Long, Nigel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Anxiety disorders. Neuroses
Biological and medical sciences
Medical sciences
Natural disaster
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Psychological adjustment
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Social support
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Summary:The present study investigated long-term psychological effects of Cyclone Bola, which struck the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island in March, 1988. Using mailed self-report questionnaires, data was collected from 118 individuals who had been evacuated from their homes during Cyclone Bola, and/or who applied for financial aid following the disaster. The study found that, five years after the cyclone, 12% of respondents could be classified as post-traumatic stress disorder cases and 17% were classified with high psychological distress scores. The relationship between these psychological outcomes and various risk factors was examined. High post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological distress scores were significantly related to higher mean levels of emotional distress at the time of the disaster, and to greater dissatisfaction with both post-disaster assistance and social support.
ISSN:1061-5806
1477-2205
DOI:10.1080/10615809908250479