School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.
School of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.
Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2022 Oct;31(5):1176-1185. doi: 10.1111/inm.13035. Epub 2022 Jun 22.
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.
本研究旨在调查受 2019-20 年澳大利亚丛林大火影响的社区成员的应对方式、创伤后应激和心理健康症状。本研究采用便利抽样方法，通过在线调查评估了“黑色夏天”丛林大火受灾社区成员的一系列应对策略、创伤后应激以及抑郁、焦虑和压力症状。结果表明，研究参与者报告了中度抑郁和压力症状，以及严重的焦虑水平。此外，参与者报告在丛林大火事件后使用了趋近和回避应对策略，同时经历了创伤后应激症状，如出现侵入性思维和回避及过度警觉症状。尽管许多人已经恢复，但其他人仍受事件影响，并且有证据表明，对一些人来说，丛林大火可能会产生长期的心理健康后果。鉴于这些发现，为受灾地区的人们提供心理健康服务至关重要。精神科护士在支持受灾个人方面发挥着重要作用。精神科护士必须意识到灾难对人们心理健康的短期和长期影响。
