Does a disaster worsen anxiety when you are already anxious? Psychological consequences following exposure to a M7.1 earthquake in an outpatient anxiety disorder population

Lee Kannis-Dymand; Helen Colhoun; Monique Huntley; Colette Woolcock; Ron Chambers; Dianne Le Compte; Juliet Macleod; Claire Gilbert; Dixie Statham; Monique Jones; Clare Sullivan; Jane Alexander; Steven Love; Caroline Bell

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Does a disaster worsen anxiety when you are already anxious? Psychological consequences following exposure to a M7.1 earthquake in an outpatient anxiety disorder population

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Does a disaster worsen anxiety when you are already anxious? Psychological consequences following exposure to a M7.1 earthquake in an outpatient anxiety disorder population

Lee Kannis-Dymand, Helen Colhoun, Monique Huntley, Colette Woolcock, Ron Chambers, Dianne Le Compte, Juliet Macleod, Claire Gilbert, Dixie Statham, Monique Jones, …

Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, Vol.26(1), pp.3-13

2022

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

anxiety

depression

posttraumatic stress

peritraumatic distress

personality temperament

earthquake

UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion

Research of clinical patients with a pre-existing psychological disorder involved in a disaster is limited. This study investigated relationships between pre-and post-earthquake psychopathology (i.e., anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress), peritraumatic distress, work and social impairment, perceived support post-earthquake, and personality dimensions in an outpatient, anxiety disorder population. Thirty-seven patients with pre-existing anxiety disorders completed standard clinical assessments pre-earthquake. They then completed a second set of questionnaires 3 months after exposure to the 2010 Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, earthquake. Bivariate correlations on the variables determined what relationships were present, and paired samples t-tests assessed differences in pre-and post-earthquake anxiety, depression, and alcohol and drug consumption as well as relationships with peritraumatic distress, posttraumatic stress, and personality variables. Significant relationships were found between pre-earthquake psychopathology, peritraumatic distress, post-earthquake psychopathology, and impairment. Paired samples t-tests demonstrated anxiety and depression scores were significantly lower post-earthquake. However, prior anxiety and depression, as well as peritraumatic distress, were significantly associated with post-earthquake psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress and impaired work and social functioning. There were no differences between pre-and post-event alcohol and drug consumption. The personality dimensions of harm avoidance, self-directedness, and persistence significantly associated with post-disaster anxiety and depression. Promisingly, post-earthquake perceived support was significantly negatively correlated with depression and posttraumatic stress.

Details

Title: Does a disaster worsen anxiety when you are already anxious? Psychological consequences following exposure to a M7.1 earthquake in an outpatient anxiety disorder population
Authors: Lee Kannis-Dymand (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Helen Colhoun (Author) - Anxiety Disorders Service (New Zealand)
Monique Huntley (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Colette Woolcock (Author) - Anxiety Disorders Service (New Zealand)
Ron Chambers (Author) - Anxiety Disorders Service (New Zealand)
Dianne Le Compte (Author) - Anxiety Disorders Service (New Zealand)
Juliet Macleod (Author) - Anxiety Disorders Service (New Zealand)
Claire Gilbert (Author) - Anxiety Disorders Service (New Zealand)
Dixie Statham (Author) - Federation University
Monique Jones (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson Institute
Clare Sullivan (Author) - Anxiety Disorders Service (New Zealand)
Jane Alexander (Author) - Anxiety Disorders Service (New Zealand)
Steven Love (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Road Safety Research Collaboration
Caroline Bell (Author) - University of Otago
Publication details: Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, Vol.26(1), pp.3-13
Publisher: Massey University
Date published: 2022
ISSN: 1174-4707
Copyright note: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon author's work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge the authors and be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms. Please read the human-readable summary as linked above for more information. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be discussed with the Editor or Managing Editor via our email address of ajdts@massey.ac.nz . Please contact the relevant author for any extension or use of content published within these pages, over and above the limitations of this licence.
Organisation Unit: Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute; School of Health - Psychology; School of Law and Society; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99666996902621
Output Type: Journal article

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