The impact of volcano eruption on mental health: A systematic review

Abstract

This review investigates the impact of volcanic eruptions on mental health, addressing the effects, risk factors, and potential interventions based on empirical evidence to mitigate mental health risks associated with this type of disaster. For this purpose, a systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA methodology. The study, registered in Prospero database [CRD42022378087], analysed twenty-seven (27) articles meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria. As result, high rates of psychological distress and generalized anxiety were described which decreases very slowly over time. The most commonly described risk factors were the level of exposure, experienced traumatic events, female gender, low income, low educational level, presence of prior physical/mental health issues, and lack of social support. The sense of place has recently been described as a risk factor capable of increasing anxiety levels, as well as the degree of reluctance to leave homes, thereby increasing the danger to human lives safety and the mobilization of support resources. Resilience, social support, social cohesion, and rebuilding life elsewhere, and then being able to return home are protective factors. Life skills education programs for disaster management and anxiety, and self-empowerment therapies for stress and trauma recovery have been piloted; but data limitations do not allow us to confirm its effectiveness. In light of the findings, an intervention proposal is formulated to mitigate mental health risks in anticipation of future volcanic eruption disasters.