Journal article

Trajectory of adjustment difficulties following disaster: 10-year longitudinal cohort study

Belinda J Pacella, Sean Cowlishaw, Lisa Gibbs, Richard A Bryant, Kate Brady, Colin Gallagher, Robyn Molyneaux, Kari Gibson, Karen Block, Louise Harms, David Forbes, Meaghan L ODonnell

BJPsych Open | Cambridge University Press | Published : 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although much is known about psychopathology such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression following bushfire (also known as wildfire), little is known about prevalence, trajectory and impacts for those experiencing general adjustment difficulties following exposure to these now-common events. AIMS: This was an exploratory analysis of a large cohort study that examined the prevalence, trajectory and risk factors of probable adjustment disorder over a 10-year period following bushfire exposure. METHOD: The Beyond Bushfires study assessed individuals exposed to a large and deadly bushfire across three time points spanning 10 years. Self-report survey data from part..

View full abstract

Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council Linkage Grant


Funding Acknowledgements

The original Beyond Bush fires study was funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (LP100200164) including financial and in-kind contributions from Linkage partners Victorian Department of Health, Australian Red Cross, Australian Rotary Health, Australian Government Department of Human Services (Centre link), Phoenix Australia: Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, and six Primary Care Partnerships: Central Hume, Bendigo Loddon, North East, Outer East, Central West Gippsland, Lower Hume. Additional salary support from the Jack Brockh off Foundation is also acknowledged. The 10 Years Beyond Bush fires study (Wave 3) was funded by Emergency Management Victoria, Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and Australian Red Cross