Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Extreme Weather-Related Events: Implications for Mental Health and Well-Being

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Climate Change and Human Well-Being

Part of the book series: International and Cultural Psychology ((ICUP))

Abstract

This chapter will review the current literature on the effects of climate change–induced extreme weather-related events such as natural disasters on psychosocial well-being and mental health. In the aftermath of natural disasters, adults commonly suffer from increased mental health problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance use. In turn, children may show anxiety, aggression, and behavior problems. Specific attention is paid to effects and vulnerabilities among minority populations, low-resource countries, and culturally diverse settings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adams, G., O’Brien, L., & Nelson, J. (2006). Perceptions of racism in Hurricane Katrina. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 6, 215–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychological Association. (2009). Psychology and global climate change: Addressing a multi-faceted phenomenon and set of challenges. A report by the American Psychological Association’s task force on the interface between psychology and global climate change (108 p.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Available at: http://www.apa.org/science/about/publications/climate-change.aspx. Last accessed 5/4/2011.

  • Baum, A., & Fleming, I. (1993). Implications of psychological research on stress and technological accidents. American Psychologist, 48(6), 665–672.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baum, A., Fleming, R., & Davidson L. M. (1983). Natural disaster and technological catastrophe. Environment and Behavior, 15(3), 333–354. DOI: 10.1177/0013916583153004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, P. A., Greene, T. C., Fisher, J. D., & Baum, A. (2001). Environmental psychology (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadswort.

    Google Scholar 

  • Below, R., Wirtz, A., & Guha-Sapir D. (2009). Disaster category classification and peril terminology for operational purposes. Working Paper #264. Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) and Munich Reinsurance Company (20 p.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedek, D. M., Fullerton, C., & Ursano, R. J. (2007). First responders: Mental health consequences of natural and human-made disasters for public health and public safety workers. Annual Review of Public Health, 28, 55–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bokszczanin, A. (2007). PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents 28 months after a flood: Age and gender differences. Journal of Trauma and Stress, 20(3), 347–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourque, L. B., Siegel, J. M., Kano, M., & Wood, M. M. (2006). Weathering the storm: The impact of hurricanes on physical and mental health. Annals, American Academy of Political and Social Sciences, 604, 129–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, E. J. (2005). Correlates and treatment of stress disorder in children and adolescents. Psychiatric Annals, 35(9), 759–765.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, E. J. (2005). Clinical characteristics and efficacious treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatric Annals, 34(2), 138–146.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, S. E., & Shinozuka, M. (2004). Measuring improvements in the disaster. resilience of communities. Earthquake Spectra, 20, 739–755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S. (2004). Social relationships and health. American Psychologist, 59(8), 676–684.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cutter, S. L., Barnesa, L., Berrya, M., Burtona, C., Evansa, E., Tatea, E., et al. (2008). A place-based model for understanding community resilience to natural disasters. Global Environmental Change, 18(4), 598–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Earle, T. C. (2004). Thinking aloud about trust: A protocol analysis of trust in risk management. Risk Analysis, 24(1), 169–183.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Earle, T. C., & Cvetkovich G. T. (1995). Social trust: Toward a cosmopolitan society. Westport, CT: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elenkov, I. J., & Chrousos, G. P. (1999). Stress hormones, Th1/Th2 patterns, Pro/Anti-inflammatory cytokines and susceptibility to disease. Trends in Endocrinology Metabolism, 10(9), 359–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elhajj, II, Haydar, A. A., Hujairi, N. M., & Goldsmith, D. J. (2004). The role of inflammation in acute coronary syndromes: Review of the literature. Journal of Medicine Liban, 52(2), 96–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feigin, V. L., Anderson, C. S., & Mhurchu, C. N. (2002). Systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, dietary fatty acids and micronutrients as risk factors for stroke: A selective review. Cerebrovascular Diseases, 13(4), 219–224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flint, C., & M. Brennan. (2006). Community emergency response teams: From disaster responders to community builders. Rural Realities, 1(3), 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freedy, J., & Simpson, W. J. (2007). Disaster-related physical and mental health: A role for the family physician. American Family Physician, 75(6), 841–846.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, M. J., & McEwen, B. S. (2004). Posttraumatic stress disorder, allostatic load, and medical illness. In P. P. Schnurr & B. L. Green (Eds.), Trauma and health: Physical health consequences of exposure to extreme stress (pp. 157–188). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fullerton, C. S., Ursano, R. J., Norwood, A. E., & Holloway, H. H. (2003). Trauma, terrorism, and disaster. In R. J. Ursano, C. S. Fullerton, & A. E. Norwood (Eds.), Terrorism and disaster: Individual and community mental health interventions (pp. 1–20). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gheytanchi, A., Joseph, L., Gierlach, E., Kimpara, S., Houseley, J., Franco, Z. E., et al. (2007). The dirty dozen: Twelve failures of the Hurricane Katrina response and how psychology can help. American Psychologist, 62, 118–130.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grigorian, H. M. (1992). The Armenian earthquake. In L. S. Austin (Ed.), Responding to disaster (pp. 155–167). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs, F., & Stoops N. (2002). Demographic trends in the 20th century. CENSR-4. Census 2000 Special Reports (222 p.). Department of Commerce: U.S. Census Bureau.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyos, C. D., Agudelo, P. A., Webster, P. J., & Curry J. A. (2006). Deconvolution of the factors contributing to the increase in global hurricane intensity. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.1123560

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyois, D., Scheuren, J-. M., Below, R., & Sapir D. G. (2007). Annual disaster statistical review: Numbers and trends 2006. Brussels: CRED.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). (2007). IASC guidelines on mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. Geneva: IASC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2002). Report: Workshop on changes in extreme weather and climate events, Beijing, China, 11–13 June, 2002. Retrieved July 26, 2011, from http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/supporting-material/ipcc-workshop-2002-06.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • ISDR. (2007a). Building disaster resilient communities: Good practices and lesson learned. Geneva: Global Network of NGOs for Disaster Risk Reduction.

    Google Scholar 

  • ISDR. (2007b). Hyogo framework for Action 2005–2015: Building the resilience of nations and communities. ISDR Brochure dated 2007. http://www.unisdr.org/eng/hfa/docs/HFA-brochure-English.pdf. Last accessed 5/4/2011.

  • ISDR. (2009). Applying disaster risk reduction for climate change adaptation: Country practices and lessons. Retrieved February 13, 2010, from International Strategy for Disaster Reduction: http://gfdrr.org/docs/ISDR_Applying_DRR_For_CCA.pdf

  • Jacko, S. (2007). The calm after the storm. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 14(1), 42–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kawachi, I., & Berkman, L. F. (2001). Social ties and mental health. Journal of Urban Health, 78(3), 458–467.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kilmer, R. P., & Gil-Rivas, V. (2010). Responding to the needs of children and families after a disaster: Linkages between unmet needs and caregiver functioning. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 80(1), 135–142.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knutson, T. R., & Tuleya R. E. (2004). Impact of CO2-induced warming on simulated hurricane intensity and precipitation: Sensitivity to the choice of climate model and convective parameterization. Journal of Climate, 17(18), 3477–3494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Greca, A. M., Silverman, W. K., Vernberg, E. M., & Roberts, M. C. (Eds.). (2002). Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, J. T., & Hallman, W. K. (2005). Who does the public trust? The case of genetically modified food in the United States. Risk Analysis, 25(5), 1241–1252.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larrance, R., Anastario, M., & Lawry, L. (2007). Health status among internally displaced persons in Louisiana and Mississippi travel trailer parks. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 49(5), 590–601.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laukkonen, J., Blanco, P. K., Lenhard, J. Keiner, M., Branko, C., & Kinuthia-Njenga, C. (2009). Combining climate change adaptation and mitigation measures at the local level. Habitat International, 33(3), 287–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerner, E. B., & Moscati R. M. (2008). The golden hour: Scientific fact or medical “urban legend”? Academic Emergency Medicine, 8(7), 758–760.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowder, D. (1995). The day the earth moved. Health Facilities Management, 8(8), 72, 74–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubit, R., Rovine, D., DeFrancisci, L., & Eth, S. (2003). Impact of trauma on children. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 9(2), 128–133.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Madrid, P. A., Grant, R., Reilly, M. J., & Redlener, N. B. (2006). Challenges in meeting immediate emotional needs: Short-term impact of a major disaster on children’s mental health: Building resiliency in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Pediatrics, 117(5 Pt 3), S448–453.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madrid, P. A., & Grant, R. (2008). Meeting mental health needs following a natural disaster: Lessons from Hurricane Katrina. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(1), 86–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manyena, S. B. (2006). Rural local authorities and disaster resilience in Zimbabwe. Disaster Prevention and Management, 15(5), 810–820.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsella, A. J., & Christopher, M. A. (2004). Ethnocultural considerations in disasters: An overview of research, issues, and directions. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 27(3), 521–539.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, R. D. et al. (2007). The psychology of ongoing threat – Relative risk appraisal, the September 11 attacks, and terrorism-related fears. American Psychologist, 62, 304–316.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., Best, K. M., & Garmezy, N. (1990). Resilience and development: Contributions from the study of children who overcome adversity. Development and Psychopathology, 2, 425–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McEwen, B. S. (2008). Central effects of stress hormones in health and disease: Understanding the protective and damaging effects of stress and stress mediators. European Journal of Pharmocology, 583(2–3), 174–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, T. W. (2007). Trauma, change, and psychological health in the 21st century. American Psychologist, 62(8), 889–898.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nachmias, M., Gunnar, M., Mangelsdorf, S., Parritz, R., & Buss, K. (1996). Behavioral inhibition and stress reactivity: The moderating role of attachment security. Child Development, 67(2), 508–522.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Norris, F. H., Friedman, M. J., Watson, P. J., Byrne, C. M., Diaz, E., & Kaniasty, K. (2002). 60,000 disaster victims speak: Part I. An empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981–2001. Psychiatry, 65(3), 207–39.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oliver-Smith, A. (1998). Global changes and the definition of disaster. In E. L. Quarantelli (Ed.), What is a disaster (pp. 177–194). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osofsky, J., & Osofsky, O. H. (2006). Children and adolescents displaced by Katrina: In the eye of the storm – resilience in Katrina’s wake. Paper presented at the 19th U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress, New Orleans, LA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palakudiyil, T., & Todd, M. (2003). Facing up to the storm: How local communities can cope with disasters: Lessons from Orissa and Gujarat. London: Christian Aid.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peduzzi, P. (2005). Is climate change increasing the frequency of hazardous events? The Environment and Poverty Times, No. 3. Published as part of special edition for the world conference on disaster reduction January 18–22, 2005, Kobe, Japan. GRID-Arendal. Available at: http://www.grida.no/publications/et/ep3/page/2598.aspx

  • Quarantelli, E. L. (1981). An Agent Specific or an All Disaster Spectrum Approach to Socio-Behavioral Aspects of Earthquakes? University of Delaware: Disaster Research Center. http://dspace.udel.edu:8080/dspace/handle/19716/441. Last accessed 5/4/2011.

  • Quarantelli, E. L. (Ed.). (1998). What is a disaster?: Perspectives on the question. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reacher, M., McKenzie, K., Lane, C., Nichols, T., Kedge, I., Iversen, A., et al. (2004). Lewes flood action recovery team. Health impacts of flooding in Lewes: A comparison of reported gastrointestinal and other illness and mental health in flooded and non-flooded households. Communicable Disease and Public Health, 7(1), 39–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sapolsky, R. (1996). Why stress is bad for your brain. Science, 273(5276), 749–750.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sharan, P., Chaudhary, G., Kavathekar, S. A., & Saxena S. (1996). Preliminary report of psychiatric disorders in survivors of a severe earthquake. American Journal of Psychiatry, 153(4), 556–558.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, R., & IEDM Team. (n.d). Climate disaster resilience: Focus on coastal urban cities in Asia. Retrieved February 8, 2010, from Kyoto University: http://www.unescap.org/idd/events/2009_EGM-DRR/Japan-Rajib-Shaw-CLIMATE-DISASTER-RESILIENCE.pdf

  • Silverman, W. K., & La Greca, A. (2002). Children experiencing disasters: Definitions, reactions and predictors of outcomes. In A. La Greca, W. K. Silverman, E. M. Vernberg, & M. C. Roberts (Eds.), Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism. American Psychological Association. Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism (pp. 11–33). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association, xvii, 446 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, D. M. (2000). Non-institutional sources of assistance following a disaster: Potential triage and treatment capabilities of neighborhood-based organizations. Journal of Pre-Hospital and Disaster Medicine, 15(4), 73–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, D. M. (2001). Community emergency response training (CERTs): A recent history and review. Natural Hazards Review, 2(2), 54–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, D. M. (2008). Disaster preparedness measures: A test case development and application. Disaster Prevention & Management, 17(5), 645–661.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, D. M., & Katirai, M. (2006). Measurement and indicators for disasters: Topical bibliography. Working Paper # 06-01. University of Louisville: Center for Hazards Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spratt, D., & Sutton, P. (2008). Climate code red: The case for emergency action. Carlton North, VIC: Scribe Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uchino, B. N., Cacioppo, J. T., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (1996). The relationship between social support and physiological processes: A review with emphasis on underlying mechanisms and implications for health. Psychological Bulletin, 119(3), 488–531.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • UNDP. (2007). Building disaster resilient communities: Good practices and lessons learned (67 pp). Geneva: Publication of the Global Network of NGOs for Disaster Risk Reduction.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernberg, E., & Varela, R. (2001). Posttraumatic stress disorder: A developmental perspective. In M. W. Vasey and M. R. Dadds (Eds.), The developmental psychopathology of anxiety (pp. 386–406). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernberg, E. M., Silverman, W. K., La Greca, A. M., & Prinstein, M. J. (1996, May). Prediction of posttraumatic stress symptoms in children after hurricane Andrew. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105(2), 237–248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vogel, J., & Vernberg, E. (1993). Children’s psychological response to disasters. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 22, 464–484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warunee, T., Lopes Cardozo, B., Somchai Chakkraband, M. L., Guadamuz, T., Pengjuntr, W., Tantipiwatanaskul, P., et al. (2006). Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression among children in Tsunami-affected areas in Southern Thailand. Journal of the American Medical Association, 296, 5549–5559.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, E., Elenkov, I., & Chrousos, G. (1997). The role of corticotrophin-releasing hormone in neuroendocrine-immune interactions. Molecular Psychiatry, 2(5), 368–372.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weinstein, N. D., Lyon, J. E., Rothman, A. J., & Cuite, C. L. (2000). Preoccupation and affect as predictors of protection action following natural disaster. British Journal of Health Psychology, 5, 351–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weissbecker, I., Sephton, S. E., Martin, M., & Simpson D. M. (2008). Psychological and physiological correlates of stress in children with exposure to disaster: A review of the current research. Children, Youth and Environments, 18(2), 33–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2003). Climate change and human health: Risks and responses. Summary. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2008). Scaling up care for mental, neurological and substance use disorders. Geneva, Switzerland: Mental Health Gap Action Program.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urban and Public Affairs, Center for Hazards Research and Policy Development, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40208, USA

    David M. Simpson

  2. Washington, DC, USA

    Inka Weissbecker

  3. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, J.G. Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

    Sandra E. Sephton

Authors
  1. David M. Simpson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Inka Weissbecker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sandra E. Sephton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David M. Simpson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Perlhuhnweg 2, Berlin, 12355, Germany

    Inka Weissbecker

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Simpson, D.M., Weissbecker, I., Sephton, S.E. (2011). Extreme Weather-Related Events: Implications for Mental Health and Well-Being. In: Weissbecker, I. (eds) Climate Change and Human Well-Being. International and Cultural Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9742-5_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation