TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Alcohol consumption in the aftermath of a natural disaster: a longitudinal study
JO  - Public health
A1  - Nordløkken, A.
A1  - Pape, H.
A1  - Heir, Trond
SP  - 33
EP  - 39
VL  - 132
IS  - 
N2  - OBJECTIVES: In this study, we examined changes in alcohol consumption in the aftermath of a natural disaster, as well as possible predictors of both increased and decreased drinking. STUDY DESIGN: Observational longitudinal study. <br><br>METHODS: Repatriated Norwegian adults who resided in areas affected by the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami completed a questionnaire at 6 and 24 months postdisaster (N = 649). <br><br>RESULTS: Weekly alcohol consumption and frequency of intoxication did not change significantly from 6 to 24 months postdisaster at the population level: 18.3% (n = 116) increased their alcohol consumption while 21.1% (n = 125) showed a reduction. Increased drinking was not predicted by severity of disaster exposure, post-traumatic stress, or measures of psychological functioning. Reduced alcohol consumption was predicted by younger age and social withdrawal, but not by any of the other study variables. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the tsunami experience had only minor effects on alcohol consumption, in contrast to some studies suggesting a relationship between trauma exposure and increased alcohol consumption.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0033-3506
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2015.11.007
ID  - ref1
ER  -