Mental Health Problems and Coping among Flood Victims in Ghana: A Comparative Study of Victims and Non-Victims

Abstract

The occurrence of natural disasters results in loss of lives and properties. However, the short and long term focus of assistance is usually on the physical wellbeing of the victims with no attention to their accompanying mental health issues. This study examined the mental health problems and coping strategies among flood victims and non-victims in the Eastern Region of Ghana. A total of 400 respondents (200 flood victims and 200 non-victims) were sampled from two Districts, one with a history of flood and the other with no flood history. A Retrospective Cohort Design was used to determine the effects of natural disaster (flood) on the victims. The respondents were administered with the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Coping Strategies Inventory. Descriptive statistics and independent t-tests were used to analyze the data. Results from the analysis revealed significant differences in mental health problems between flood victims and non-victims. Further analysis revealed that flood victims and non-victims differed significantly in their use of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. It is therefore concluded from the outcomes of this study that flood victims experience significant mental health problems and therefore, psychological care of the victims must be taken into consideration in assisting in the aftermath of flood disaster.