TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2020//
TI  - Anger dimensions and mental health following a disaster: distribution and implications after a major bushfire
JO  - Journal of Traumatic Stress
A1  - Cowlishaw, Sean
A1  - Metcalf, Olivia
A1  - Varker, Tracey
A1  - Stone, Caleb
A1  - Molyneaux, Robyn
A1  - Gibbs, Lisa
A1  - Block, Karen
A1  - Harms, Louise
A1  - MacDougall, Colin
A1  - Gallagher, Colin H.
A1  - Bryant, Richard
A1  - Lawrence-Wood, Ellie
A1  - Kellett, Connie
A1  - O'Donnell, Meaghan
A1  - Forbes, David
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - Anger is an important dimension of affect and a prominent feature of posttraumatic mental health, but it is commonly overlooked in postdisaster settings. We aimed to examine the distribution and implications of significant anger problems in the aftermath of a natural disaster, via analyses of Beyond Bushfires survey data from 736 residents of rural communities 5 years after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria, Australia. Assessments included the five-item Dimensions of Anger Reaction (DAR-5) scale along with measures of PTSD, depression, and significant mental illness, and indicators of life satisfaction, suicidality, hostile aggressive behavior, and violence exposure. The results indicated that approximately 10% of respondents from areas highly affected by the bushfires scored above the provisional cutoff criteria for significant anger problems on the DAR-5, which was a more than 3-fold increase, OR = 3.26, relative to respondents from areas of low-to-moderate bushfire impact. The rates were higher among women, younger participants, and those who were unemployed, and co-occurred commonly, although not exclusively, with other postdisaster mental health problems. Anger problems were also associated with lower life satisfaction, β = -.31, an 8-fold increase in suicidal ideation, OR = 8.68, and a nearly 13-fold increase in hostile aggressive behavior, OR = 12.98. There were associations with anger problems and violence exposure, which were reduced when controlling for covariates, including probable PTSD. The findings provide evidence indicating that anger is a significant issue for postdisaster mental health and should be considered routinely alongside other posttraumatic mental health issues.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0894-9867
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jts.22616
ID  - ref1
ER  -