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Cited by 50Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchDisaster Response and ManagementDisaster Management and Resilience

A systematic review of the psychological impacts of the Canterbury earthquakes on mental health

Open access
Beaglehole, Ben, Mulder, Roger T, Boden, Joseph M, Bell, Caroline J·2019·Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
DOI 10.1111/1753-6405.12894
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to identify and evaluate all studies that measured psychological distress or mental disorder following the Canterbury earthquakes to establish the psychological consequences of the earthquakes on those exposed. A secondary aim is to outline and emphasise key methodological factors in disaster research. METHOD: Eligible studies were identified following a comprehensive literature search. A quality assessment was undertaken for all included studies. This was followed by methodological and descriptive review. RESULTS: Thirty-one papers measuring psychological distress or mental disorder following the Canterbury earthquakes were identified. These papers reported outcomes from 20 separate studies of which seven were rated high-quality, eight were rated medium and five were rated low-quality. Key methodological findings and outcomes are discussed for each study. CONCLUSION: The Canterbury earthquakes were associated with widespread but not universal adverse effects on mental health. Disaster research quality is assisted by representative samples, repeated measures, and the use of appropriate controls to allow accurate assessments of psychological consequences to be made. Implications for public health: The presence of widespread adverse effects as a result of the earthquakes suggests broad-ranging community initiatives are essential to mitigate the negative consequences of disasters.

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Research works printed but not linked: 39

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Authors
Beaglehole, B., Mulder, R. T., Boden, J. M., & Bell, C. J.
Affiliations
University of Otago (NZ)
Corresponding author
Beaglehole, Ben
ORCID
Venue
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-06
Volume
43
Issue
3
Pages
274-280
ISSN
1326-0200 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1111/1753-6405.12894
OpenAlex
W2940162039
Cited by
50
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1
FWCI
0.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Emergency Medical Services › Disaster Response and Management
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Disaster Management and Resilience
Keywords
Canterbury earthquakes, psychological distress, mental illness, disaster mental health, study quality, community mental health intervention
MeSH terms
Adult, Mental Disorders, Disasters, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, New Zealand, Quality of Life, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Stress, Psychological, Earthquakes

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