Depression Among Victims of South Mississippi's Methyl Parathion Disaster

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2000

Department

Social Work

Abstract

Human-induced disasters have long been considered responsible for a wide array of physiological, pschological, and economic distress. This study examined depressive symptoms among victims of south Mississippi's methyl parathion disaster. Results indicated that irrespective of the level of methyl parathion contamination in respondents' dwellings, more than half the victims interviewed reported depressive symptoms at levels suggesting probable clinical depression. Those at greatest risk of depressive symptoms were people who had been exposed to the neurotoxin for the longest period of time, among whom there was an overrepresentation of women and African Americans. Despite high statistical levels of depression, few victims used mental health services. Implications for social work's response to human-induced disasters are provided.

Publication Title

Health & Social Work

Volume

25

Issue

1

First Page

33

Last Page

40

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