Psychological health and resilience: the impact of significant earthquake events on tertiary level professional students. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of natural disasters internationally is linked to intensity and duration and the impact of these events for tertiary level professional students is not clearly understood. Following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in New Zealand in 2010 (with aftershocks lasting 27 months) a number of tertiary nursing students experienced significant disruption to their studies.

AIM: To compare the psychological health, resilience and the impact on learning for three cohorts of students engaged in tertiary nursing education during this time.

METHOD: A cross-sectional survey design and convenience sampling was used for three cohorts of learners. An online survey was completed (n = 290) and included: Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale; PTSD Checklist; Work and Social Adjustment Scale; Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found across the psychometric scales with regard to relationship status. Whilst an increase in self-reported physical and mental health issues prior to and following the earthquakes were noted, mitigating factors were also identified.

CONCLUSIONS: In order to support psychological health amongst nursing students, tertiary education systems need to plan for sustainable learning. The importance of facilitating future orientation within organisations is necessary to develop resilience amongst staff and students, which, in turn, will enable on-going education during significant disaster events.