Post-flood social support networks and morbidity in Jôsô City, Japan

Psychiatry Res. 2019 Jan:271:708-714. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.11.073. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Abstract

Social support networks are considered beneficial for post-disaster survivor mental health. However, there are family and non-family networks, and support can be received or provided. Therefore, their complex contribution to wellbeing requires analysis. Researching elderly residents of Jôsô City NE of Tokyo (N = 1182 [female: n = 618], Age M = 69.76y, SD = 6.10y) who experienced severe flooding in September 2015 investigated data for mental health outcomes of depression (K6), trauma (IES-R), and existence of recent worry from evacuation and house damage. An original instrument tapped support source and direction, controlled to examine mental health symptom changes. House damage was a higher mental health predictor (ηp2 = .10-.16) than evacuation (ηp2 = .033-.093). Results indicated family social support may buffer mental health outcomes, but non-family social support may burden them. Overall support network size also indicated burdening compared to social support receiving-providing imbalance.

Keywords: Depression; Disasters; Psychological; Psychosocial support systems; Stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological / physiology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Anxiety / therapy
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Depression / therapy
  • Disasters*
  • Female
  • Floods*
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Mental Health / trends
  • Middle Aged
  • Morbidity
  • Social Networking*
  • Social Support*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy