Disaster and Terrorism Response and Recovery Stress Management Interventions and Treatment Children and Families Workplace Preparedness Public Education and Community Leadership Military Health Courage to Care Joining Forces Newsletter Law Enforcement

Interviews Post 9/11 Disaster and Military Psychiatry Articles and Reports Terrorism Preparedness Disaster Psychiatry Military Psychiatry Treatment Guidelines Workplace Joining Forces Newsletter Research Books CDs Public Education Conferences

Research

Disaster Psychiatry

Disaster psychiatry examines the psychological and behavioral effects of disasters on individuals and populations. Population-based disaster psychiatry research includes the effects of natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, floods) on groups such as first responders and body handlers (see fact sheets on body handling). Disaster psychiatry ensures that mental health is a part of the public health response to disaster.

The Center conducts extensive research on human made disasters from its pioneering work prior to Desert Storm on exposure to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to research on the effects of 9/11 on Pentagon employees, and the sniper attacks on hospital workers and the homeless in Washington, D.C. This research shows the impact of such events on workplace preparedness.

The Center’s research has global implications. Examples include the study of relocation stress and mental health outcomes among Japanese residents in the Washington, D.C by a Center international Disaster Psychiatry Fellowship recipient in collaboration with the United States Embassy of Japan and the Japanese Americans’ Care Fund.

The Center’s literature on disaster psychiatry is extensive from journal articles, to books and book chapters on post-traumatic stress disorder, management of individual and community trauma and scientific research on the effects of terrorism and bioterrorism. A series of three volumes published by Cambridge University Press written and edited by Center Director, Robert J. Ursano, M.D. and Scientific Director, Carol S. Fullerton, Ph.D. and the Center’s scientists are now invaluable resources for health care providers, community leaders and researchers.