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Differences in Anxiety, Insomnia, and Trauma Symptoms in Wildfire Survivors from Australia, Canada, and the United States of America

Author

Listed:
  • Fadia Isaac

    (Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Mt Helen, VIC 3350, Australia)

  • Samia R. Toukhsati

    (Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Mt Helen, VIC 3350, Australia)

  • Britt Klein

    (Health Innovation and Transformation Centre, Federation University, Mt Helen, VIC 3350, Australia
    Biopsychosocial & eHealth Research & Innovation (BeRI) Hub, Federation University, Mt Helen, VIC 3350, Australia)

  • Mirella Di Benedetto

    (Australian Centre for Heart Health, North Melbourne, VIC 3051, Australia)

  • Gerard A. Kennedy

    (Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Mt Helen, VIC 3350, Australia
    School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
    Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia)

Abstract

Many survivors of wildfires report elevated levels of psychological distress following the trauma of wildfires. However, there is only limited research on the effects of wildfires on mental health. This study examined differences in anxiety, depression, insomnia, sleep quality, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following wildfires in Australia, Canada, and the United States of America (USA). One hundred and twenty-six participants from Australia, Canada, and the USA completed an online survey. The sample included 102 (81%) women, 23 (18.3%) men, and one non-binary (0.8%) individual. Participants were aged between 20 and 92 years ( M age = 52 years, SD = 14.4). They completed a demographic questionnaire, the Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index (DDNSI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and PTSD Checklist (PCL-5). Results showed that participants from the USA scored significantly higher on the GAD-7 ( p = 0.009), ISI ( p = 0.003), and PCL-5 ( p = 0.021) than participants from Australia and Canada. The current findings suggest a need for more international collaboration to reduce the severity of mental health conditions in Australia, Canada, and the USA.

Suggested Citation

  • Fadia Isaac & Samia R. Toukhsati & Britt Klein & Mirella Di Benedetto & Gerard A. Kennedy, 2023. "Differences in Anxiety, Insomnia, and Trauma Symptoms in Wildfire Survivors from Australia, Canada, and the United States of America," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2023:i:1:p:38-:d:1308168
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Genevieve Belleville & Marie-Christine Ouellet & Charles M. Morin, 2019. "Post-Traumatic Stress among Evacuees from the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfires: Exploration of Psychological and Sleep Symptoms Three Months after the Evacuation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Fadia Isaac & Samia R. Toukhsati & Mirella Di Benedetto & Gerard A. Kennedy, 2021. "A Systematic Review of the Impact of Wildfires on Sleep Disturbances," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-13, September.
    3. Sarita Silveira & Mariah Kornbluh & Mathew C. Withers & Gillian Grennan & Veerabhadran Ramanathan & Jyoti Mishra, 2021. "Chronic Mental Health Sequelae of Climate Change Extremes: A Case Study of the Deadliest Californian Wildfire," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
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