Community patterns of psychiatric disorders after the Exxon Valdez oil spill

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · American Journal of Psychiatry; (United States)

OSTI ID:5941645

Palinkas, L A; Petterson, J S; Russell, J; Downs, M A ^[1]

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1. Impact Assessment, Inc., La Jolla, CA (United States)

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between exposure to the Exxon Valdez oil spill and subsequent cleanup efforts and the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depressive symptoms in 13 Alaska communities. METHOD: A community survey of 599 men and women was conducted approximately 1 year after the spill occurred. Questions from the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule were used to assess symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale was used to assess levels of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The post-spill (i.e., 1-year) prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD for the study communities with all degrees of exposure was 20.2% and 9.4%, respectively. The prevalence of respondents with CES-D Scale scores above 16 and 18 was 16.6% and 14.2%, respectively. When compared with the unexposed group, members of the high-exposure group were 3.6 times as likely to have generalized anxiety disorder, 2.9 times as likely to have PTSD, 1.8 times as likely to have a CES-D Scale score of 16 and above, and 2.1 times as likely to have a CES-D Scale score of 18 and above. Women exposed to this event were particularly vulnerable to these conditions, and Alaska Natives were particularly vulnerable to depressive symptoms after the oil spill. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the oil spill's impact on the psychosocial environment was as significant as its impact on the physical environment. The Exxon Valdez experience suggests a number of implications for the mental health needs of disaster victims, particularly in primary care settings.

• OSTI ID: 5941645
• Journal Information: American Journal of Psychiatry; (United States), Journal Name: American Journal of Psychiatry; (United States) Vol. 150:10; ISSN AJPSAO; ISSN 0002-953X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550100* -- Behavioral Biology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ACCIDENTS
ALASKA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISASTERS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
ESKIMOS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MENTAL DISORDERS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SPILLS
PETROLEUM
PUBLIC ANXIETY
SEX DEPENDENCE
SHIPS
USA