Citation

Garfin DR, Juth V, Silver RC, Ugalde FJ, Linn H, Inostroza M. Psychiatr. Serv. 2014; 65(11): 1392-1395.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.201300500

PMID

25219795

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A national epidemiological survey in Chile assessed adaptive (health care utilization) and maladaptive (substance use) postearthquake behaviors.

METHODS: Three months after the 8.8-magnitude 2010 Bio-Bio earthquake, face-to-face interviews were conducted with a representative sample of 2,108 adults. Logistic regression analyses examined predictors of health care service utilization and substance use.

RESULTS: Few participants utilized available government- and community-based psychosocial resources (16.6%). A minority reported increased substance use (13.2%). Lower self-efficacy was correlated with increased health care utilization (odds ratio [OR]=.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]=.88-.96) and use of tranquilizers, illicit and psychotropic drugs, and alcohol (OR=.95, CI=.91-.99); this pattern was not limited to residents of areas with the heaviest impacts.

CONCLUSIONS: Self-efficacy beliefs elucidate variability in survivors' behaviors postdisaster and may provide an avenue to encourage salubrious responses. Postdisaster interventions should broadly target the population; those less heavily affected may need, and be as likely to use, available resources.

Language: en