Chapter 5.1 Disaster mental health research
Chapter 5.1 describes the importance of the following for mental health research relevant to health emergency and disaster risk management (Health EDRM):
- Mental health consequences of disasters.
- Research methods appropriate for assessing mental health.
- The importance of partnerships to support mental health research in disaster settings.
- The role of culture in defining the experience and expression of distress.
What is this chapter about?
Mental health research plays a critical role in determining the health needs, trajectories of adjustment and outcomes for disaster-affected populations. Guidance on conducting rigorous mental health research relevant to health EDRM will help expand the evidence base and highlight important areas for service development.
This chapter presents an overview of methods applied in recent research and important considerations for developing rigorous studies for mental health assessment. It illustrates the value of methodologies described in other chapters in this book when applied to mental health research, including quantitative and qualitative methods and participatory action research. The chapter also provides a list of social and cultural factors to consider when researching and partnering with disaster-affected populations.
Case studies presented in the chapter:
- Working with communities to assess the mental health effects of the 2009 Australian bushfires.
- Expressions of distress among Chinese and Nepalese adolescents affected by earthquakes.
Authors: Newnham EA, Reifels L, Gibbs L.
