Warning: fopen(/home/virtual/epih/journal/upload/ip_log/ip_log_2025-04.txt): failed to open stream: Permission denied in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 95 Warning: fwrite() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 96 Identifying factors associated with mental health status following climate-related disasters: a nationwide longitudinal panel study in Korea
Skip Navigation
Skip to contents

Epidemiol Health : Epidemiology and Health

OPEN ACCESS
SEARCH
Search
Advanced Search
mobile menu button

Articles

Page Path
HOME > Epidemiol Health > Accepted Articles > Article
Original article Identifying factors associated with mental health status following climate-related disasters: a nationwide longitudinal panel study in Korea
Eunjin Oh1orcid , Jaelim Cho2orcid , Changsoo Kim2orcid , Hyungryul Lim1orcid , Kyoung-Nam Kim2orcid
Epidemiol Health 2025;e2025014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025014 [Accepted]
Published online: March 27, 2025
1Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
2Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
Corresponding author:  Hyungryul Lim,
Email: kknload@yuhs.ac
Kyoung-Nam Kim,
Email: kknload@yuhs.ac
Received: 2 November 2024   • Revised: 6 March 2025   • Accepted: 10 March 2025
  • 365 Views
  • 14 Download
  • 0 Crossref
  • 0 Scopus
Full Article

Download PDF Download PDF

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Despite the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, identifying factors associated with mental health status remains challenging. This study aimed to determine the factors linked to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following heavy rainfall and typhoons.
METHODS
National data on climate-related disaster victims (n=825 for heavy rainfall and n=1,220 for typhoon) from a longitudinal panel in Korea (“Long-term Survey on the Change of Life of Disaster Victims”) and data from individuals unaffected by disasters (n=893) were used. Generalized linear mixed models were employed to evaluate the factors associated with mental health status following climate-related disasters.
RESULTS
Greater disaster severity (e.g., experiencing casualties or asset loss) was associated with higher scores for depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), and PTSD (Impact Event Scale-Revised). The association between casualty experience and anxiety score was more pronounced among individuals over 65 years (β [log-transformed score]=1.39; standard error [SE], 0.26; p<0.001), female respondents (β=1.20; SE, 0.20; p<0.001), those with a low education level (β=1.18; SE, 0.25; p<0.001), and those with a low income (β=1.45; SE, 0.26; p<0.001) compared to their counterparts.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings may help guide targeted interventions and shape public health policies and disaster management strategies that prioritize mental health support for the most at-risk populations, ultimately increasing community resilience to climate-related challenges.

Epidemiol Health : Epidemiology and Health
© Korean Society of Epidemiology.
TOP