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Use of and satisfaction with support received among survivors from three Scandinavian countries after the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

P.O. Michel ,
S. Rosendal ,
L. Weisaeth  and
T. Heir
P.O. Michel*
Affiliation:
National Centre for Disaster Psychiatry/Akademiska sjukhuset/Uppsala University, 75185Uppsala, Sweden
S. Rosendal
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Section 7421, Center for Crisis and Disaster Psychiatry/University of Copenhagen Blegdamsvej 9, 2100Copenhagen, Denmark
L. Weisaeth
Affiliation:
Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, Building 48, 0407Oslo, Norway
T. Heir
Affiliation:
Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, Building 48, 0407Oslo, Norway
*
⁎Corresponding author. Tel.: +46 18 6118825; fax: +46 186118890. E-mail address: [email protected] (P.O. Michel).
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Abstract

Introduction

There is limited guidance regarding effective preventions for post-disaster mental health problems and what kind of support is preferred by disaster survivors.

Aim

To describe the use of and satisfaction with support in three Scandinavian countries after the tsunami and analyzing the association between support and posttraumatic stress reactions.

Method

The sample comprises 6772 responders who returned to Scandinavia from the tsunami-struck countries of Southeast Asia in 2004.

Results

Most were satisfied with informal support on site. Support from embassies/consulates was not received well, leaving about 64% of the Danes/Norwegians and 73% of the Swedes dissatisfied. After returning home, support from close relatives rendered highest degree of satisfaction. Consultation with general practitioner (GP) was reported by 63% of Norwegians, 40% of Danes, and 16% of Swedes. Most responders (60–77%) were satisfied with their GP, although Norwegians were least satisfied. Using support was associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Conclusions

Informal support was used to a high degree and rendered considerable satisfaction in all three countries, while the use of and satisfaction with formal support varied more. Lack of satisfaction with embassies and consulates may indicate deficiencies in the authorities’ preparedness in assisting disaster stricken citizens abroad.

Keywords

StressPosttraumatic stress disorderQuality of care
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 26 , Issue 7 , October 2011 , pp. 436 - 440
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2010

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