Psychological outcomes following the Hazelwood mine fire: A mixed methods study

Resumen

Objectives: This mixed method study assessed the psychological impacts of six weeks of exposure to smoke and ash from the 2014 Hazelwood mine fire in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Australia. The quantitative component compared residents from the most exposed community (Morwell) with those from a similar, but minimally-exposed, control community (Sale). Qualities of the experience were examined in interviews with Morwell residents. Methods: A cross-sectional survey involved 3,091 Morwell and 960 Sale adults with multiple psychological measures was complimented by 26 interviews with Morwell residents. Results: Morwell residents scored significantly higher than Sale residents on the primary outcome measure, the Impact of Event Scale – Revised (difference = 6.53; 95%CI: 5.37, 7.35, p<0.001), which measured the posttraumatic stress symptoms of intrusive rumination, hyperarousal and avoidance behaviour. Morwell residents also scored significantly higher on the Kessler 10-item general distress scale (difference = 1.69; 95%CI: 1.05, 2.33, p<0.001). On average, the Hazelwood mine fire continued to generate moderate levels of participant distress more than two years after the event, however this ranged from no impact to more severe distress. This range of impact was also evident in the qualitative interviews, where intrusive thoughts were the most frequently reported symptom of posttraumatic stress. The interviews highlighted the increased vulnerability of people with pre-existing mental health concerns. Conclusions: The finding that moderate distress was apparent in the community several years after an extended community-wide pollution event highlights the need for improving response to such events, including providing support to more vulnerable subgroups.

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Cómo citar (APA 7)

Maybery, D., Jones, R., Carroll, M., Dipnall, J., Berger, E., Campbell, T., & McFarlane, A. (2019). Psychological outcomes following the Hazelwood mine fire: A mixed methods study. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2019.1695523