Seasonal Threat of Natural Disaster, Symptoms of Seasonal affective Disorder, and Rumination

About the project

In this joint project between the University of Akureyri and the University of Iceland, we study the potential relationship between thinking patterns (rumination) and the seasonal threat of natural disasters and seasonal fluctuations in mood.

Natural disasters will occur more frequently in the future due to climate change and will influence people’s lives in a multifaceted way. Consequently, the number of people living under the imminent threat of natural disasters will increase and there is a need to address the psychological dimension of their situation. Emotions such as anxiety, anger, grief, and disbelief are encountered by people exposed to natural disasters. However, little is known about the impact of natural disaster and the specific situation of living under the imminent danger of natural disaster in relation to seasonal climatic conditions. Natural disasters can depend on seasons. Likewise, well-being and specifically experiencing episodes of depressive mood can depend on seasons. Therefore, we hypothesize a relationship between Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and seasonal threat of natural disasters. Rumination can influence vulnerability and maintenance of depression, and preliminary data shows that this is also relevant for SAD. In the present project we aim to address cognitive factors in relation to worries about natural disasters and SAD among people who experienced a natural disaster and live under the ongoing threat of natural disasters. The results of this study can help shaping targeted interventions to improve mental health or to prevent mental health problems of people living under the threat of natural disaster.

The innovative value of this project is threefold: Firstly, SAD has never been studied in relation to the threat of natural disasters. Secondly, the mental health consequences of imminent natural disaster threat that depends on the season and weather is a subject that needs to be researched urgently in Iceland, where volcanic activity and natural events have had immense effects on individuals and the society. We will research whether symptoms of seasonal depression and rumination are more common among people in who live under the ongoing risk of natural disasters. Thirdly, the potential to modulate the mental health consequences of these risks is poorly understood. We will examine the potential relationship between disasters and rumination as modifiable risk factors for the clinical picture of SAD.

Click here to participate

This study is funded by the Icelandic Student Innovation Fund (Icelandic Research Fund, Rannís).

Members