Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal 4/2015

01-05-2015 | Brief Communication

Community Mental Health Service Utilization After the L’Aquila Earthquake

Authors: Paolo Stratta, Stefano de Cataldo, Roberto L. Bonanni, Alessandro Rossi

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 4/2015

Login to get access

Abstract

This study investigated the use of the facilities for the mental health by the population affected by the L’Aquila (Italy) 2009 earthquake. The data about the activities of the Mental Health Centre of L’Aquila during the years from 2008 to 2010 were obtained by the service Information System. In the months following the event the percentage of referrals was reduced. Failure to use specialized facilities after disasters should not be seen as reassuring. It is conceivable that a relevant rate of frank or sub-threshold psychopathology is present that the traditional mental health facilities may not be able to intercept.
Literature
go back to reference Alexander, D. (1996). The Health Effects of Earthquakes in the Mid-1990s. Special issue: The fate of information in the disaster zone. Disasters, 20(3), 231–247.CrossRefPubMed Alexander, D. (1996). The Health Effects of Earthquakes in the Mid-1990s. Special issue: The fate of information in the disaster zone. Disasters, 20(3), 231–247.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Bartels, S. A., & VanRooyen, M. J. (2009). Medical complications associated with earthquakes. The Lancet, 379, 748–757.CrossRef Bartels, S. A., & VanRooyen, M. J. (2009). Medical complications associated with earthquakes. The Lancet, 379, 748–757.CrossRef
go back to reference Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist, 59, 20–28.CrossRefPubMed Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist, 59, 20–28.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Boscarino, J. A., Galea, S., Ahern, J., & Vlahov, D. (2002). Utilization of mental health services following the September 11th terrorist attacks in Manhattan, New York City. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 4, 143–155.PubMed Boscarino, J. A., Galea, S., Ahern, J., & Vlahov, D. (2002). Utilization of mental health services following the September 11th terrorist attacks in Manhattan, New York City. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 4, 143–155.PubMed
go back to reference Boscarino, J. A., Galea, S., Ahern, J., & Vlahov, D. (2003). Psychiatric medication use among Manhattan residents following the World Trade Center disaster. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16, 301–306.CrossRefPubMed Boscarino, J. A., Galea, S., Ahern, J., & Vlahov, D. (2003). Psychiatric medication use among Manhattan residents following the World Trade Center disaster. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16, 301–306.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Carr, V. J., Lewin, T. J., Webster, R. A., & Kenardy, J. A. (1997). A synthesis of the findings from the Quake Impact Study: A two-year investigation of the psychosocial sequelae of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 32, 123–136.PubMed Carr, V. J., Lewin, T. J., Webster, R. A., & Kenardy, J. A. (1997). A synthesis of the findings from the Quake Impact Study: A two-year investigation of the psychosocial sequelae of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 32, 123–136.PubMed
go back to reference Davydov, D. M., Stewart, R., Ritchie, K., & Chaudieu, I. (2010). Resilience and mental health. Clinical Psychological Review, 30, 479–495.CrossRef Davydov, D. M., Stewart, R., Ritchie, K., & Chaudieu, I. (2010). Resilience and mental health. Clinical Psychological Review, 30, 479–495.CrossRef
go back to reference Dell’Osso, L., Carmassi, C., Massimetti, G., Stratta, P., Riccardi, I., Capanna, C., et al. (2013a). Age, gender and epicenter proximity effects on post-traumatic stress symptoms in L’Aquila 2009 earthquake survivors. Journal of Affective Disorders, 146(2), 174–180.CrossRefPubMed Dell’Osso, L., Carmassi, C., Massimetti, G., Stratta, P., Riccardi, I., Capanna, C., et al. (2013a). Age, gender and epicenter proximity effects on post-traumatic stress symptoms in L’Aquila 2009 earthquake survivors. Journal of Affective Disorders, 146(2), 174–180.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Dell’Osso, L., Carmassi, C., Stratta, P., Massimetti, G., Akiskal, K. K., Akiskal, H. S., et al. (2013b). Gender differences in the relationship between maladaptive behaviors and post-traumatic stress disorder. A study on 900 L’Aquila 2009 earthquake survivors. Frontiers in Psychiatry. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2012.00111.PubMedCentralPubMed Dell’Osso, L., Carmassi, C., Stratta, P., Massimetti, G., Akiskal, K. K., Akiskal, H. S., et al. (2013b). Gender differences in the relationship between maladaptive behaviors and post-traumatic stress disorder. A study on 900 L’Aquila 2009 earthquake survivors. Frontiers in Psychiatry. doi:10.​3389/​fpsyt.​2012.​00111.PubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Dutt, K., & Webber, M. (2010). Access to social capital and social support among South East Asian women with severe mental health problems: A cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 56, 593–605.CrossRefPubMed Dutt, K., & Webber, M. (2010). Access to social capital and social support among South East Asian women with severe mental health problems: A cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 56, 593–605.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Fine, S. B. (1991). Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture. Resilience and human adaptability: Who rises above adversity? American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45, 493–502.CrossRefPubMed Fine, S. B. (1991). Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture. Resilience and human adaptability: Who rises above adversity? American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45, 493–502.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Galea, S., Nandi, A., & Vlahov, D. (2005). The epidemiology of post-traumatic stress disorder after disasters. Epidemiologic Reviews, 27, 78–91.CrossRefPubMed Galea, S., Nandi, A., & Vlahov, D. (2005). The epidemiology of post-traumatic stress disorder after disasters. Epidemiologic Reviews, 27, 78–91.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Holzinger, A., Matschinger, H., Schomerus, G., Carta, M. G., & Angermeyer, M. C. (2011). The loss of sadness: The public’s view. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 123(4), 307–313.CrossRefPubMed Holzinger, A., Matschinger, H., Schomerus, G., Carta, M. G., & Angermeyer, M. C. (2011). The loss of sadness: The public’s view. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 123(4), 307–313.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Kaskutas, L. A., Weisner, C., & Caetano, R. (1997). Predictors of help seeking among a longitudinal sample of the general population, 1984–1992. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 58, 155–161.CrossRefPubMed Kaskutas, L. A., Weisner, C., & Caetano, R. (1997). Predictors of help seeking among a longitudinal sample of the general population, 1984–1992. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 58, 155–161.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Maj, M. (2011). Report on the implementation of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) action plan 2008–2011. World Psychiatry, 10(3), 161–164.PubMedCentralPubMed Maj, M. (2011). Report on the implementation of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) action plan 2008–2011. World Psychiatry, 10(3), 161–164.PubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Marshall, R. D., Olfson, M., Hellman, F., Blanco, C., Guardino, M., & Struening, E. L. (2001). Comorbidity, impairment, and suicidality in subthreshold PTSD. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 1467–1473.CrossRefPubMed Marshall, R. D., Olfson, M., Hellman, F., Blanco, C., Guardino, M., & Struening, E. L. (2001). Comorbidity, impairment, and suicidality in subthreshold PTSD. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 1467–1473.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference McFarlane, A. C. (2010). The long-term costs of traumatic stress: Intertwined physical and psychological consequences. World Psychiatry, 9, 3–10.PubMedCentralPubMed McFarlane, A. C. (2010). The long-term costs of traumatic stress: Intertwined physical and psychological consequences. World Psychiatry, 9, 3–10.PubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference McKenzie, K., Whitley, R., & Weich, S. (2002). Social capital and mental health. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 181, 280–283.CrossRefPubMed McKenzie, K., Whitley, R., & Weich, S. (2002). Social capital and mental health. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 181, 280–283.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Noorthoorn, E. O., Havenaar, J. M., de Haan, H. A., van Rood, Y. R., & van Stiphout, W. A. (2010). Mental health service use and outcomes after the Enschede fireworks disaster: A naturalistic follow-up study. Psychiatric Services, 61, 1138–1143.CrossRefPubMed Noorthoorn, E. O., Havenaar, J. M., de Haan, H. A., van Rood, Y. R., & van Stiphout, W. A. (2010). Mental health service use and outcomes after the Enschede fireworks disaster: A naturalistic follow-up study. Psychiatric Services, 61, 1138–1143.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Norris, F. N., Friedman, M. J., & Watson, P. J. (2002a). 60,000 disaster victims speak: Part II. Summary and implications of the disaster mental health research. Psychiatry, 65, 240–260.PubMed Norris, F. N., Friedman, M. J., & Watson, P. J. (2002a). 60,000 disaster victims speak: Part II. Summary and implications of the disaster mental health research. Psychiatry, 65, 240–260.PubMed
go back to reference Norris, F. N., Friedman, M. J., Watson, P. J., Byrne, C. M., Diaz, E., & Kaniasty, K. (2002b). 60,000 disaster victims speak: Part I. An empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981–2001. Psychiatry, 65, 207–239.PubMed Norris, F. N., Friedman, M. J., Watson, P. J., Byrne, C. M., Diaz, E., & Kaniasty, K. (2002b). 60,000 disaster victims speak: Part I. An empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981–2001. Psychiatry, 65, 207–239.PubMed
go back to reference Rodriguez, J. J., & Kohn, R. (2008). Use of mental health services among disaster survivors. Current Opinion Psychiatry, 21(4), 370–378.CrossRef Rodriguez, J. J., & Kohn, R. (2008). Use of mental health services among disaster survivors. Current Opinion Psychiatry, 21(4), 370–378.CrossRef
go back to reference Rossi, A., di Tommaso, S., Stratta, P., Riccardi, I., & Daneluzzo, E. (2012). How much stress is needed to increase vulnerability to psychosis? A community assessment of psychic experiences (CAPE) evaluation 10 months after an earthquake in L’Aquila (Italy). European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 262, 265–268.CrossRefPubMed Rossi, A., di Tommaso, S., Stratta, P., Riccardi, I., & Daneluzzo, E. (2012). How much stress is needed to increase vulnerability to psychosis? A community assessment of psychic experiences (CAPE) evaluation 10 months after an earthquake in L’Aquila (Italy). European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 262, 265–268.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Schwarz, E. D., & Kowalski, J. M. (1992). Malignant memories: Reluctance to utilize mental health services after a disaster. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 180, 767–772.CrossRefPubMed Schwarz, E. D., & Kowalski, J. M. (1992). Malignant memories: Reluctance to utilize mental health services after a disaster. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 180, 767–772.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Squarcione, S., Matricardi, G., Russo, M. R., Caporale, V., Dalla Villa, P., Migliorati, G., et al. (2010). Interventi sanitari in occasione del sisma in Abruzzo. Rapporto preliminare. Annali di Igiene, 22, 131–146. (in Italian).PubMed Squarcione, S., Matricardi, G., Russo, M. R., Caporale, V., Dalla Villa, P., Migliorati, G., et al. (2010). Interventi sanitari in occasione del sisma in Abruzzo. Rapporto preliminare. Annali di Igiene, 22, 131–146. (in Italian).PubMed
go back to reference Stein, M. B., Walker, J. R., Hazen, A. L., & Forde, D. R. (1997). Full and partial posttraumatic stress disorder: Findings from a community survey. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 154, 1114–1119.CrossRefPubMed Stein, M. B., Walker, J. R., Hazen, A. L., & Forde, D. R. (1997). Full and partial posttraumatic stress disorder: Findings from a community survey. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 154, 1114–1119.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Stratta, P., & Rossi, A. (2010a). Resilience in psychopathology agenda. Italian Journal of Psychopathology, 16, 305–308. Stratta, P., & Rossi, A. (2010a). Resilience in psychopathology agenda. Italian Journal of Psychopathology, 16, 305–308.
go back to reference Stratta, P., & Rossi, A. (2010b). Subjective adjustment of individuals with psychiatric disorders in the aftermath of the L’Aquila earthquake. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 167(3), 352–353.CrossRefPubMed Stratta, P., & Rossi, A. (2010b). Subjective adjustment of individuals with psychiatric disorders in the aftermath of the L’Aquila earthquake. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 167(3), 352–353.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18.CrossRef Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18.CrossRef
go back to reference van der Velden, P. G., Yzermans, C. J., Kleber, R. J., & Gersons, B. P. R. (2007). Correlates of mental health services utilization 18 months and almost 4 years postdisaster among adults with mental health problems. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 20, 1029–1039.CrossRefPubMed van der Velden, P. G., Yzermans, C. J., Kleber, R. J., & Gersons, B. P. R. (2007). Correlates of mental health services utilization 18 months and almost 4 years postdisaster among adults with mental health problems. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 20, 1029–1039.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Wang, P. S., Gruber, M. J., Powers, R. E., Schoenbaum, M., Speier, A. H., Wells, K. B., & Kessler, R. C. (2007). Mental health service use among Hurricane Katrina survivors in the eight months after the disaster. Psychiatric Services, 58(11), 1403–1411.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed Wang, P. S., Gruber, M. J., Powers, R. E., Schoenbaum, M., Speier, A. H., Wells, K. B., & Kessler, R. C. (2007). Mental health service use among Hurricane Katrina survivors in the eight months after the disaster. Psychiatric Services, 58(11), 1403–1411.CrossRefPubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Xu, J., & He, Y. (2012). Psychological health and coping strategy among survivors in the year following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 66(3), 210–219.CrossRef Xu, J., & He, Y. (2012). Psychological health and coping strategy among survivors in the year following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 66(3), 210–219.CrossRef
go back to reference Yzermans, C. J., Donker, G. A., Kerssens, J. J., Dirkzwager, A. J., Soeteman, R. J., & Ten Veen, P. M. (2005). Health problems of victims before and after disaster: A longitudinal study in general practice. International Journal of Epidemiology, 34, 820–826.CrossRefPubMed Yzermans, C. J., Donker, G. A., Kerssens, J. J., Dirkzwager, A. J., Soeteman, R. J., & Ten Veen, P. M. (2005). Health problems of victims before and after disaster: A longitudinal study in general practice. International Journal of Epidemiology, 34, 820–826.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Community Mental Health Service Utilization After the L’Aquila Earthquake
Authors
Paolo Stratta
Stefano de Cataldo
Roberto L. Bonanni
Alessandro Rossi
Publication date
01-05-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 4/2015
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-014-9822-8

Other articles of this Issue 4/2015

Community Mental Health Journal 4/2015 Go to the issue