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Family context of mental health risk in Tsunami-exposed adolescents: Findings from a pilot study in Sri Lanka

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  • Wickrama, K.A.S.
  • Kaspar, Violet

Abstract

Using survey data from 325 Tsunami-exposed adolescents and mothers from two villages in southern Sri Lanka, this pilot study investigated influences of Tsunami exposure and subsequent psychosocial losses on adolescent depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Findings generally support the study hypotheses: disaster exposure (for example experiences of property destruction and deaths of close others) contributes to depressive and PTSD symptoms in adolescents. Findings also show that psychosocial losses associated with Tsunami exposure, such as prolonged displacement, social losses, family losses, and mental health impairment among mothers, contribute to depressive and PTSD symptoms in adolescents. Results suggest that the influence of Tsunami exposure on adolescent mental health operates partially through Tsunami-related psychosocial losses. As expected, positive mother-child relationships provide a compensatory influence on both depressive and PTSD symptoms of adolescents. In addition, high levels of depressive symptoms among mothers increases the detrimental influence of other Tsunami-related psychosocial losses on adolescent mental health. These preliminary findings suggest ways to improve ongoing recovery and reconstruction programs and assist in formulating new programs for families exposed to both the Tsunami and other natural disasters. More importantly, findings from this pilot study emphasize the urgent need for larger systematic studies focusing on mental health following disaster exposure.

Suggested Citation

  • Wickrama, K.A.S. & Kaspar, Violet, 2007. "Family context of mental health risk in Tsunami-exposed adolescents: Findings from a pilot study in Sri Lanka," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(3), pages 713-723, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:64:y:2007:i:3:p:713-723
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    Cited by:

    1. Alto, Michelle E. & Petrenko, Christie L.M., 2017. "Fostering secure attachment in low- and middle-income countries: Suggestions for evidence-based interventions," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 151-165.
    2. Katie S Dawson & Richard A Bryant, 2016. "Children’s Vantage Point of Recalling Traumatic Events," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(9), pages 1-13, September.
    3. Wickrama, K.A.S. & Wickrama, K.A. Thulitha, 2008. "Family context of mental health risk in Tsunami affected mothers: Findings from a pilot study in Sri Lanka," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(4), pages 994-1007, February.
    4. Shin, Su Hyun & Ji, Hyunjung, 2021. "Health risks of natural hazards and resilience resources: Evidence from a U.S. nationwide longitudinal study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    5. Xiaoyi Cao & Xiaolian Jiang & Xiaolin Li & Man-chun Jenny Hui Lo & Rong Li, 2013. "Family Functioning and Its Predictors among Disaster Bereaved Individuals in China: Eighteen Months after the Wenchuan Earthquake," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-8, April.
    6. Bountress, Kaitlin E. & Gilmore, Amanda K. & Metzger, Isha W. & Aggen, Steven H. & Tomko, Rachel L. & Danielson, Carla Kmett & Williamson, Vernell & Vladmirov, Vladimir & Ruggiero, Kenneth & Amstadter, 2020. "Impact of disaster exposure severity: Cascading effects across parental distress, adolescent PTSD symptoms, as well as parent-child conflict and communication," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    7. Alyssa Banford Witting & Jessica Lambert & Thulitha Wickrama & Sivaguru Thanigaseelan & Michael Merten, 2016. "War and disaster in Sri Lanka: Depression, family adjustment and health among women heading households," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 62(5), pages 425-433, August.
    8. Thulitha Wickrama & Michael J. Merten & K. A. S. Wickrama & Amanda Terrell, 2024. "Adolescents’ Tsunami Exposure and Mental Health Consequences: Protective Role of Cultural Coping Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-16, June.
    9. Xiao Zhou & Xinchun Wu, 2017. "Moderating Role of Negative Venting in the Relationship Between PTSD and Violent Behaviors and Suicidal Ideation in Chinese Children After an Earthquake," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 10(1), pages 221-230, March.
    10. Thulitha Wickrama & Scott A. Ketring, 2012. "Change in the health of tsunami-exposed mothers three years after the natural disaster," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 58(3), pages 278-288, May.
    11. N/A, 2011. "Mental health and psychosocial consequences of armed conflict and natural disasters," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(1_suppl), pages 57-78, March.

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