Psychological consequences of indirect exposure to disaster due to the Haiti earthquake.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have focused on the mental health consequences of indirect exposure to disasters caused by naturally occurring hazards. The present study assessed indirect exposure to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti among Haitian-Americans now living in Miami; these subjects had no direct exposure to the earthquake, but retained their cultural identity, language, and connection to family and friends in Haiti.


METHODS
Two months following the earthquake a sample of Haitian-Americans was surveyed inquiring about: (1) their psychological reactions to the quake; (2) types of exposures experienced by their family members and friends in Haiti; and (3) symptom levels of (a) major depression, (b) generalized anxiety disorder, (c) complicated grief, (d) mental health status, and (e) physical health status.


RESULTS
Haitian-Americans living in Miami experienced a broad spectrum of indirect exposures to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. These exposures were strongly associated with psychological distress, trauma-related mental health consequences, and diminished health status. Most notable was the multiplicity of indirect exposures to the on-scene experiences of multiple family members and friends in Haiti.


CONCLUSIONS
Consideration should be given to the psychological impact and needs for support among indirectly-exposed populations with strong affiliation to directly-impacted victims.
Center for Disaster & Extreme Event Preparedness (DEEP Center), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Florida, USA. jamesmichaelshultz@gmail.com
James M
JM
Shultz
Avi
A
Besser
Fiona
F
Kelly
Andrea
A
Allen
Susan
S
Schmitz
Vicky
V
Hausmann
Louis Herns
LH
Marcelin
Yuval
Y
Neria
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D055866:Earthquakes; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006117:Grief; D006205:Haiti / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires