title: Flooding and mental health: a systematic mapping review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Floods are the most common type of global natural disaster. Floods have a negative impact on mental health. Comprehensive evaluation and review of the literature are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To systematically map and review available scientific evidence on mental health impacts of floods caused by extended periods of heavy rain in river catchments.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a systematic mapping review of published scientific literature in five languages for mixed studies on floods and mental health. PUBMED and Web of Science were searched to identify all relevant articles from 1994 to May 2014 (no restrictions).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The electronic search strategy identified 1331 potentially relevant papers. Finally, 83 papers met the inclusion criteria. Four broad areas are identified: i) the main mental health disorders-post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety; ii] the factors associated with mental health among those affected by floods; iii) the narratives associated with flooding, which focuses on the long-term impacts of flooding on mental health as a consequence of the secondary stressors; and iv) the management actions identified. The quantitative and qualitative studies have consistent findings. However, very few studies have used mixed methods to quantify the size of the mental health burden as well as exploration of in-depth narratives. Methodological limitations include control of potential confounders and short-term follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Floods following extreme events were excluded from our review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the level of exposure to floods has been systematically associated with mental health problems, the paucity of longitudinal studies and lack of confounding controls precludes strong conclusions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend that future research in this area include mixed-method studies that are purposefully designed, using more rigorous methods. Studies should also focus on vulnerable groups and include analyses of policy and practical responses.
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Brain and Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Fernandez
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ageing Work and Health Unit, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Black
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Discipline of Behavioral and Social Sciences in Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Mairwen
authors: M
authors: Jones
authors: School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Leigh
authors: L
authors: Wilson
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Brain and Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Salvador-Carulla
authors: School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Astell-Burt
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ageing Work and Health Unit, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Black
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety; D001315:Australia; D003863:Depression; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D055868:Floods; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013405:Suicide