THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF AN EARTHQUAKE ON THE ELDERLY

Abstract

The psychosocial effects of an earthquake which occurred in Newcastle, Australia in 1989 are the focus of the Quake Impact Study, a four-phase community survey conducted over 2 years. Comparisons were made between adults aged less than 65 years (N=2371) and those aged 65 years and older (N=636). Results revealed that older subjects reported fewer threat and disruption experiences and used fewer general and disaster-related support services. However, older subjects reported higher overall levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms on the Impact of Event Scale (IES) compared with younger subjects. On both the IES and a general measure of morbidity (General Health Questionnaire: GHQ-12) the effects of earthquake exposure were more marked among the elderly. Within the older group, subjects who had high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms (IES>25,N=117) were more likely to be female, report higher levels of exposure and use behavioural and avoidance coping styles. Although psychological distress declined with time, post-traumatic stress symptoms remained higher for the high exposure group throughout the study. We conclude that older people may be more at risk for experiencing post-traumatic stress reactions despite having fewer disaster-related experiences. They may also underutilize support services following a disaster. Older women in particular and people with an avoidance coping style appear to be most vulnerable.