Researchers identify new syndrome caused by natural disasters

Wednesday 6 September 2006

Researchers from the University of Newcastle have discovered a new type of syndrome affecting potentially thousands of people who have lived through human-made environmental change such as open-cut mines, and natural disasters such as drought and cyclones.

Researchers, Dr Glenn Albrecht (philosopher) and Dr Gina-Maree Sartore, (psychologist) said 'solastalgia' is a lack of solace in one's home environment caused by the impact of negative environmental change. Dr Albrecht described solastalgia as the "homesickness you have when you are still at home".

They have researched the impact of the drought and open cut mines in rural NSW and say affected people feel melancholia or homesickness, and loss of a sense of place.

"A lot of people start to question their sense of place when the environment around them changes dramatically," said Dr Albrecht.

"Our research has found that negative environmental change leads to feelings of hopelessness and challenges the way people feel about their relationship to the environment.

"We are exploring solastalgia as a way of understanding the psychological impact of large-scale environmental change and disasters worldwide.

"Cyclone Larry and Hurricane Katrina are examples of disasters forcing people to deal with massive environmental change. In all situations, there is a real feeling of powerlessness as change unfolds.

"We believe that in situations such as cyclones, where there is a rebuilding process to take place, consideration must be given to people's need to identify with their much valued home environment.

"We've found that many people affected by open cut mining in the Upper Hunter Valley experience solastalgia, feeling that their home environment is being transformed by mining and infrastructure in a way that they have very little or no control over.

"Our future work will look at appropriate and effective community and mental health interventions for affected people and communities."

Dr Albrecht (School of Environmental and Life Sciences) and Dr Gina-Maree Sartore (Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health) will present their research at the 'Creating Futures Psychiatry Conference' in Cairns today.

For comment: Dr Glenn Albrecht on 0407 209 464