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Mental Health Following Separation in a Disaster: The Role of Attachment
Author(s) -
Gallagher H. Colin,
Richardson John,
Forbes David,
Harms Louise,
Gibbs Lisa,
Alkemade Nathan,
MacDougall Colin,
Waters Elizabeth,
Block Karen,
Lusher Dean,
Baker Elyse,
Bryant Richard A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.22071
Subject(s) - separation (statistics) , attachment theory , anxiety , psychology , depression (economics) , mental health , clinical psychology , cognition , association (psychology) , separation anxiety disorder , anxiety disorder , psychiatry , psychotherapist , machine learning , computer science , economics , macroeconomics
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.