TY - JOUR
T1 - A meta-analysis on gender differences in prevalence estimates of mental disorders following exposure to natural hazards
AU - Nolting, Isabella Kai Lee
AU - Morina, Nexhmedin
AU - Hoppen, Thole Hilko
AU - Tam, Kim Pong
AU - Kip, Ahlke
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Background: Women report higher rates of trauma-related disorders compared to men. With women being disproportionately impacted by the consequences of natural hazards, this gender disparity may increase in their aftermath. Objective: This meta-analysis aimed at quantifying gender gaps in mental disorder prevalence following natural hazards, considering both the recent and long-term aftermath of natural hazards, the developmental status of affected countries, and type of hazard. Method: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science in February 2024. Random effects models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) based on point prevalences. OR adjusted for covariates were also descriptively reported. Results: In total, 141 reports (N = 3,726,153 independent participants) were included. The prevalence for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression (MD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) within the first year after the hazard were 24.95%, 8.11%, and 14.24%, respectively. More than one-year post-natural hazard the prevalence for PTSD and MD were 22.89% and 13.51%, respectively. Women had significantly higher odds for PTSD (OR = 1.85) and MD (OR = 1.52) within the first year after the hazard, as well as in later assessments (OR = 1.83 for PTSD, OR = 1.41 for MD). Only four studies reported on GAD gender differences in the recent aftermath of natural hazards, resulting in a non-significant OR of 1.85. Subgroup analyses indicated no differences between developmental status of affected countries and adjusted OR showed no systematic variations upon the inclusion of covariates. Gender differences were larger in the aftermath of earthquakes. Conclusions: Significant gender differences for mental disorders following natural hazards exist, although these differences appear similar to other contexts. Gender-sensitive disaster response plans for mental health are essential.
AB - Background: Women report higher rates of trauma-related disorders compared to men. With women being disproportionately impacted by the consequences of natural hazards, this gender disparity may increase in their aftermath. Objective: This meta-analysis aimed at quantifying gender gaps in mental disorder prevalence following natural hazards, considering both the recent and long-term aftermath of natural hazards, the developmental status of affected countries, and type of hazard. Method: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science in February 2024. Random effects models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) based on point prevalences. OR adjusted for covariates were also descriptively reported. Results: In total, 141 reports (N = 3,726,153 independent participants) were included. The prevalence for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression (MD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) within the first year after the hazard were 24.95%, 8.11%, and 14.24%, respectively. More than one-year post-natural hazard the prevalence for PTSD and MD were 22.89% and 13.51%, respectively. Women had significantly higher odds for PTSD (OR = 1.85) and MD (OR = 1.52) within the first year after the hazard, as well as in later assessments (OR = 1.83 for PTSD, OR = 1.41 for MD). Only four studies reported on GAD gender differences in the recent aftermath of natural hazards, resulting in a non-significant OR of 1.85. Subgroup analyses indicated no differences between developmental status of affected countries and adjusted OR showed no systematic variations upon the inclusion of covariates. Gender differences were larger in the aftermath of earthquakes. Conclusions: Significant gender differences for mental disorders following natural hazards exist, although these differences appear similar to other contexts. Gender-sensitive disaster response plans for mental health are essential.
KW - Natural hazards
KW - depression
KW - gender differences
KW - generalized anxiety disorder
KW - post-traumatic stress disorder
UR - https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001454368100001
UR - https://openalex.org/W4408884704
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105000851542
U2 - 10.1080/20008066.2025.2476809
DO - 10.1080/20008066.2025.2476809
M3 - Review article
C2 - 40135376
SN - 2000-8066
VL - 16
JO - European Journal of Psychotraumatology
JF - European Journal of Psychotraumatology
IS - 1
M1 - 2476809
ER -
