Community patterns of psychiatric disorders after the Exxon Valdez oil spill

Palinkas, L A; Petterson, J S; Russell, J; Downs, M A

Title: Community patterns of psychiatric disorders after the Exxon Valdez oil spill

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Abstract

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 vulnerablemore »« less

Authors:

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

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

Publication Date:: Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI Identifier:: 5941645

Resource Type:: Journal Article

Journal Name:: American Journal of Psychiatry; (United States)

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 150:10; Journal ID: ISSN 0002-953X

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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

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                    Palinkas, L A, Petterson, J S, Russell, J, and Downs, M A. Community patterns of psychiatric disorders after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.  United States: N. p., 1993. 
        Web.

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                    Palinkas, L A, Petterson, J S, Russell, J, & Downs, M A. Community patterns of psychiatric disorders after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.  United States.

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                    Palinkas, L A, Petterson, J S, Russell, J, and Downs, M A. 1993.  
        "Community patterns of psychiatric disorders after the Exxon Valdez oil spill".  United States.

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@article{osti_5941645,

  title        = {Community patterns of psychiatric disorders after the Exxon Valdez oil spill},

  author       = {Palinkas, L A and Petterson, J S and Russell, J and Downs, M A},

  abstractNote = {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.},

  doi          = {},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5941645},
  journal      = {American Journal of Psychiatry; (United States)},

  issn         = {0002-953X},

  number       = ,

  volume       = 150:10,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993},

  month        = {Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993}

}

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