Sampling and design challenges in studying the mental health consequences of disasters. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2008 Dec;17 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S21-8
Date
11/28/2008Pubmed ID
19035439Pubmed Central ID
PMC6879088DOI
10.1002/mpr.267Scopus ID
2-s2.0-64349101886 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 59 CitationsAbstract
Disasters are unpredictable and frequently lead to chaotic post-disaster situations, creating numerous methodologic challenges for the study of the mental health consequences of disasters. In this commentary, we expand on some of the issues addressed by Kessler and colleagues, largely focusing on the particular challenges of (a) defining, finding, and sampling populations of interest after disasters and (b) designing studies in ways that maximize the potential for valid inference. We discuss these challenges - drawing on specific examples - and suggest potential approaches to each that may be helpful as a guide for future work. We further suggest research directions that may be most helpful in moving the field forward.
Author List
Galea S, Maxwell AR, Norris FAuthor
Andrea Maxwell MD, MPH Assistant Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
DisastersEpidemiologic Research Design
Humans
Mental Health
Sampling Studies
