TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Mental health following separation in a disaster: the role of attachment
JO  - Journal of Traumatic Stress
A1  - Gallagher, Hugh Colin
A1  - Richardson, John
A1  - Forbes, David
A1  - Harms, Louise
A1  - Gibbs, Lisa
A1  - Alkemade, Nathan
A1  - MacDougall, Colin
A1  - Waters, Elizabeth
A1  - Block, Karen
A1  - Lusher, Dean
A1  - Baker, Elyse
A1  - Bryant, Richard A.
SP  - 56
EP  - 64
VL  - 29
IS  - 1
N2  - Short-term separation from close family members during a disaster is a highly salient event for those involved. Yet, its subsequent impact on mental health has received little empirical attention. One relevant factor may be attachment style, which influences patterns of support-seeking under threatening conditions. Individuals (N = 914) affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires in southeastern Australia were assessed for disaster experiences, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and attachment style 3-4 years after the fires. Using multigroup structural equation modelling, individuals who reported separation from close family members during the bushfires (n = 471) were compared to those who reported no separation (n = 443). Cross-sectional results indicated that separated individuals had higher levels of PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, attachment anxiety was more strongly positively associated with depression among separated (b = 0.62) versus not separated individuals (b = 0.32). Unexpectedly, among separated individuals, attachment avoidance had a statistically weaker association with depression (b = 0.17 vs. b = 0.35) and with PTSD symptoms (b = 0.06 vs. b = 0.22). These results suggest that attachment anxiety amplifies a negative reaction to separation; meanwhile, for avoidant individuals, separation in times of danger may facilitate defensive cognitive processes.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0894-9867
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jts.22071
ID  - ref1
ER  -