Shelter-in-place and mental health: an analogue study of well-being and distress.
Based on the disaster mental health literature and research on quarantine, confinement, social distancing, and isolation, considerable evidence exists which supports the idea that individuals who shelterin-place (SIP) may experience adverse emotional and/or mental-health responses.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the impact of a long-term (48-hour) SIP simulation on mental health during a "dirty bomb" detonation.


METHODS
Participants (n = 73) completed the Mental Health Inventory (MHI; Veit and Ware, 1983) and a self-report questionnaire on current functioning.


RESULTS
Sheltering-in-place did not have adverse effects on mental health although supplemental analysis indicated that groups that are cohesive have an easier time. Qualitative observations also provided a significant amount of information regarding group dynamics, attrition, and cognitive functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study provide evidence to emergency management professionals that SIP is viable disaster response strategy that does not adversely impact mental health provided group cohesion is high. The findings also have implications regarding public messaging and outreach initiatives regarding the emotional and physical safety of SIP.
Assistant Professor, Counseling Department, Argosy University, Washington, DC.
Stephanie F
SF
Dailey
Chief Professional Officer, American Counseling Association, Alexandria, Virginia.
David
D
Kaplan
D000328:Adult; D002959:Civil Defense; D004189:Disaster Planning; D060447:Emergency Shelter; D005107:Explosions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult