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Exploring the Impact of 2023 Wildfires on Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms among Residents in Alberta and Nova Scotia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2024

G. Obuobi-Donkor ,
R. Shalaby ,
B. Agyapong ,
R. D. L. Dias  and
V. I. O. Agyapong
G. Obuobi-Donkor*
Affiliation:
1Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax
R. Shalaby
Affiliation:
2Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
B. Agyapong
Affiliation:
2Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
R. D. L. Dias
Affiliation:
1Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax
V. I. O. Agyapong
Affiliation:
1Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax 2Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Raging wildfires are rising in diverse areas, leading to significant environmental and psychological repercussions that are drawing growing concern.

Objectives

This study seeks to assess the prevalence of likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and investigate the factors contributing to its occurrence amidst the wildfires in Alberta and Nova Scotia.

Methods

Data were collected online through a cross-sectional survey from May 14 to June 23, 2023. Alberta and Nova Scotia participants self-subscribe to the program by texting ‘HopeAB’ or ‘HopeNS’ to a designated short code, respectively. The GAD-7 validated scale assessed likely GAD symptoms among the participants.

Results

There were 298 respondents in this study, with a majority residing in Alberta/Nova Scotia areas affected by recent wildfires (62.3%). Among the respondents, 41.9% were likely to experience Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms. Those living in regions recently impacted by wildfires in Alberta/Nova Scotia were found to be twice as likely to have GAD symptoms, with an odds ratio of 2.4 and a confidence interval of 95% ranging from 1.3 to 4.3.

Conclusions

The study’s findings highlight a relationship between living in areas affected by wildfires and the likelihood of experiencing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Exploring potential predictors through additional research could aid in developing strategies to alleviate the mental health impact of natural disasters.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 67 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 32nd European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2024 , pp. S420
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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