Journal article

Psychological outcomes following the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires

RA Bryant, E Waters, L Gibbs, HC Gallagher, P Pattison, D Lusher, C Macdougall, L Harms, K Block, E Snowdon, V Sinnott, G Ireton, J Richardson, D Forbes

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry | Published : 2014

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to map the prevalence and predictors of psychological outcomes in affected communities 34 years after the Black Saturday bushfires in the state of Victoria, Australia. Methods: Baseline assessment of a longitudinal cohort study in high-, medium-, and low-affected communities in ictoria. Participants included 1017 residents of high-, medium-, and low-affected fire communities. Participants were surveyed by means of a telephone and web-based interview between December 2011 and January 2013. The survey included measures of fire-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and general PTSD from other traumatic events, major depressive episode, alcohol use, and general psycho..

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