OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between exposure to the
Exxon Valdez oil spill and subsequent cleanup efforts and the prevalence of
generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and
depressive symptoms in 13 Alaska communities. METHOD: A community survey of
599 men and women was conducted approximately 1 year after the spill
occurred. Questions from the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic
Interview Schedule were used to assess symptoms of generalized anxiety
disorder and PTSD. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D)
Scale was used to assess levels of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The
post-spill (i.e., 1- year) prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and
PTSD for the study communities with all degrees of exposure was 20.2% and
9.4%, respectively. The prevalence of respondents with CES-D Scale scores
above 16 and 18 was 16.6% and 14.2%, respectively. When compared with the
unexposed group, members of the high-exposure group were 3.6 times as
likely to have generalized anxiety disorder, 2.9 times as likely to have
PTSD, 1.8 times as likely to have a CES-D Scale score of 16 and above, and
2.1 times as likely to have a CES-D Scale score of 18 and above. Women
exposed to this event were particularly vulnerable to these conditions, and
Alaska Natives were particularly vulnerable to depressive symptoms after
the oil spill. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the oil spill's impact
on the psychosocial environment was as significant as its impact on the
physical environment. The Exxon Valdez experience suggests a number of
implications for the mental health needs of disaster victims, particularly
in primary care settings.
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