Background: Previous research has identified a vulnerability paradox in global mental health: contrary to positive associations at the individual level, lower vulnerability at the country level is accompanied by a higher prevalence in a variety of mental health problems in national populations. However, the validity of the paradox has been challenged, specifically for bias from modest sample sizes and reliance on a survey methodology not designed for crossnational comparisons.

Conservation of Resources (COR) theory defines psychological stress as the result of a threat or actual loss of resources, or lack of resource gain. Given that disasters present a significant risk for resource loss, the aim of this study was to examine the dynamic relationship between the change in different levels of resources and the change in psychosocial functioning.

What makes individuals, communities, and societies resilient or vulnerable to a disaster from a mental health perspective? How should the causes and consequences of resilience and vulnerability be addressed? These questions delineate the scope of this book.
The first part of the book describes patterns in exposure to adversity, mental health, cultural and socioeconomic characteristics, and professional psychosocial service capacity across country contexts. 

As Australia’s first trial for psychedelic therapy for terminally ill patients gets under way, a growing movement says it could also help other conditions. Read more