International Journal Of Emergency Mental Health[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Grapheme-Color Synesthesia is Associated with PTSD Among Deployed Veterans: Confirmation of Previous Findings and Need for Additional Research.
Hoffman SN, Urosevich TG, Kirchner HL … +6 more , Boscarino JJ, Dugan RJ, Withey CA, Adams RE, Figley CR, Boscarino JA
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2019 · PMID 31285710
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is related to alteration in neuropsychological functioning, including visual and other cognitive processes. Grapheme-color synesthesia is a phenomenon in which a letter or number eli...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is related to alteration in neuropsychological functioning, including visual and other cognitive processes. Grapheme-color synesthesia is a phenomenon in which a letter or number elicits response of a concurrent image or color perception. Since we earlier reported an association between grapheme-color synesthesia and PTSD, our objective in the current study was to validate this association among a new study group and assess risk factors. For this, we surveyed 1,730 military veterans who have been outpatients in the Geisinger Clinic, a multi-hospital system in Pennsylvania, USA. All the study veterans served in a warzone deployment. The association between PTSD and Grapheme-color synesthesia was evaluated. The average age of veterans was 59.6 years among whom 95.1% were male. Current PTSD prevalence rate was observed to be 7.6% (95% C.I. = 6.5-9.0) and in 3.4% of veterans (95% C.I. = 2.7-4.4) grapheme-color synesthesia was found to be positive. Initial bivariate analyses suggested that synesthesia was associated with current PTSD [odds ratio (OR) = 3.3, p<0.001]. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression evaluating the age, sex, education, trauma exposure, current psychological stress, psychotropic medication use, combat exposure, history of concussion, and current depression, confirmed this association (OR = 2.33, p = 0.019). The present study corroborated that Grapheme-color synesthesia was linked to PTSD among a second cohort of deployed military veterans. Further research is recommended in order to validate this observation and to determine whether synesthesia is a risk factor for PTSD.
Re-experiencing 9/11-Related PTSD Symptoms Following Exposure to Hurricane Sandy.
Li J, Alper HE, Gargano LM … +2 more , Maslow CB, Brackbill RM
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2018 · PMID 30245592 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Understanding Pre-Existing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and risk of PTSD following Hurricane Sandy (Sandy) has important implications for PTSD screening of persons exposed to multiple traumas...
BACKGROUND: Understanding Pre-Existing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and risk of PTSD following Hurricane Sandy (Sandy) has important implications for PTSD screening of persons exposed to multiple traumas. This study assessed the association between Sandy exposure and a subset of PTSD symptoms related to re-experiencing trauma from the events of the September 11, 2001 (9/11). METHODS: We studied 4,220 respondents from a random 8,870 person sample of adult World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees who completed a post-Sandy survey between March 28 and November 7, 2013. The symptom cluster of re-experiencing 9/11 was defined using 3 out of 5 questions in the intrusion domain of the PTSD Checklist. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for socio-demographics, social support and any post-9/11 life threatening events prior to Sandy, was performed separately in those symptomatic and non-symptomatic of re-experiencing 9/11 prior to Sandy. RESULTS: A total of 688 enrollees (16.3%) reported re-experiencing 9/11 symptoms after Sandy (58.8% in those symptomatic prior to Sandy, and 8.7% in those non-symptomatic). A significant association between Sandy exposure and re-experiencing 9/11 was observed only among those non symptomatic prior to Sandy (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.7, 95% confidence interval=1.2-2.3 for moderate Sandy exposure; AOR=2.8, 2.0-4.0 for high Sandy exposure). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with a history of trauma should be considered for early screening and counseling for mental health after a subsequent traumatic event, regardless of PTSD status, especially in 9/11 exposed populations.
Parent Physical and Mental Health Comorbidity and Adolescent Behavior.
Gargano LM, Locke S, Brackbill RM
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2017 · PMID 29249908 · Full text
The objectives of this study were to ascertain behavioral outcomes 10-11 years after 9/11 in adolescents ages 11-18 years (0-8 years old at the time of 9/11) enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry),...
The objectives of this study were to ascertain behavioral outcomes 10-11 years after 9/11 in adolescents ages 11-18 years (0-8 years old at the time of 9/11) enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry), and relate these outcomes to their 9/11-exposures and to parent health. Behavioral difficulties among adolescents were assessed using the adolescent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Parental post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was assessed using a 9/11-specific PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, a cut-off score of 44 or greater was considered probable PTSD. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate associations of 9/11-exposure and parental health with abnormal/borderline SDQ scores, adjusting for demographic variables that were significantly associated with the SDQ score in bivariate analyses. Of the 449 adolescents, 12.5% (n=56) had abnormal/borderline SDQ scores. In the multivariable model, adolescents with severe/ moderate 9/11-exposures were 2.4 times more likely to have abnormal/borderline SDQ scores compared to adolescents with mild 9/11-exposures (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.1-6.4). Adolescents who had a parent with 9/11-related PTSD and at least one comorbid chronic condition were 4.2 times more likely to have abnormal/borderline SDQ scores compared to adolescents with a parent who had no reported chronic health conditions. Adolescents whose parent reported 14 or more poor mental health days in the preceding 30 days were 3.4 times more likely to have abnormal/borderline SDQ scores (95% CI: 1.2-9.5) The finding that parents' health appears to influence adolescent behavior problems 10-11 years following a disaster may have implications for healthcare practitioners and disaster response planners.
Law Enforcement Officers' Involvement Level in Hurricane Katrina and Alcohol Use.
Heavey SC, Homish GG, Andrew ME … +4 more , McCanlies E, Mnatsakanova A, Violanti JM, Burchfiel CM
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2015 Mar · PMID 26688672 · Full text
The purpose of this work is to examine the relationship between alcohol use and level of involvement during Hurricane Katrina among law enforcement officers, and to investigate whether marital status or previous military...
The purpose of this work is to examine the relationship between alcohol use and level of involvement during Hurricane Katrina among law enforcement officers, and to investigate whether marital status or previous military training offer resilience against negative outcomes. Officers in the immediate New Orleans geographic area completed surveys that assessed their involvement in Hurricane Katrina and alcohol use (Alcohol Use and Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score). Negative binomial regression models were used to analyze level of hazardous alcohol use; interactions were tested to examine protective influences of marriage and prior military training (controlling for age and gender). There was a significant association between heavy involvement in Hurricane Katrina and having a greater AUDIT score (exp(β)[EB]=1.81; 95% CI: 1.03, 3.17; p<0.05), indicating higher levels of hazardous alcohol use. Contrary to original hypotheses, marital status and military training were not protective against alcohol use (p>0.05). These results illustrate an association between law enforcement officers' heavy involvement during Hurricane Katrina and greater levels of hazardous alcohol use when compared to officers with low or moderate involvement. This has important treatment implications for those with high involvement in disasters as they may require targeted interventions to overcome the stress of such experiences.
Conceptualization of PTSD from the Vietnam War to Current Conflicts and Beyond.
Boscarino JA, Boscarino JJ
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2015 · PMID 26568701 · Full text
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Community Disasters, Psychological Trauma, and Crisis Intervention.
Boscarino JA
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2015 · PMID 25983663
The current issue of International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience is focused on community disasters, the impact of trauma exposure, and crisis intervention. The articles incorporated include stud...
The current issue of International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience is focused on community disasters, the impact of trauma exposure, and crisis intervention. The articles incorporated include studies ranging from the World Trade Center disaster to Hurricane Sandy. These studies are related to public attitudes and beliefs about disease outbreaks, the impact of volunteerism following the World Trade Center attacks, alcohol misuse among police officers after Hurricane Katrina, posttraumatic stress disorder after Hurricane Sandy among those exposed to the Trade Center disaster, compassion fatigue and burnout among trauma workers, crisis interventions in Eastern Europe, and police officers' use of stress intervention services. While this scope is broad, it reflects the knowledge that has emerged since the Buffalo Creek and Chernobyl catastrophes, to the more recent Hurricane Katrina and Sandy disasters. Given the current threat environment, psychologists, social workers, and other providers need to be aware of these developments and be prepared to mitigate the impact of psychological trauma following community disasters, whether natural or man-made.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder after Hurricane Sandy among Persons Exposed to the 9/11 Disaster.
Caramanica K, Brackbill RM, Stellman SD … +1 more , Farfel MR
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2015 · PMID 25960693 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Traumatic exposure during a hurricane is associated with adverse mental health conditions post-event. The World Trade Center Health Registry provided a sampling pool for a rapid survey of persons directly aff...
BACKGROUND: Traumatic exposure during a hurricane is associated with adverse mental health conditions post-event. The World Trade Center Health Registry provided a sampling pool for a rapid survey of persons directly affected by Hurricane Sandy in the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area in late October 2012. This study evaluated the relationship between Sandy experiences and Sandy-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among individuals previously exposed to the September 11, 2001 (9/11) disaster. METHODS: A total of 4,558 surveys were completed from April 10-November 7, 2013. After exclusions for missing data, the final sample included 2,214 (53.5%) respondents from FEMA-defined inundation zones and 1,923 (46.5%) from non-inundation zones. Sandy exposures included witnessing terrible events, Sandy-related injury, fearing for own life or safety of others, evacuation, living in a home that was flooded or damaged, property loss, and financial loss. Sandy-related PTSD was defined as a score of ≥44 on a Sandy-specific PTSD Checklist. RESULTS: PTSD prevalence was higher in the inundation zones (11.3%) and lower in the non-inundation zones (4.4%). The highest prevalence of Sandy-related PTSD was among individuals in the inundation zone who sustained an injury (31.2%), reported a history of 9/11-related PTSD (28.8%), or had low social support prior to the event (28.6%). In the inundation zones, significantly elevated adjusted odds of Sandy-related PTSD were observed among persons with a prior history of 9/11-related PTSD, low social support, and those who experienced a greater number of Sandy traumatic events. CONCLUSIONS: Sandy-related stress symptoms indicative of PTSD affected a significant proportion of persons who lived in flooded areas of the NYC metropolitan area. Prior 9/11-related PTSD increased the likelihood of Sandy-related PTSD, while social support was protective. Public health preparation for events similar to Sandy should incorporate outreach and linkages to care for persons with prior disaster-related trauma.
Assessing Community Reactions to Ebola Virus Disease and Other Disasters: Using Social Psychological Research to Enhance Public Health and Disaster Communications.
Boscarino JA, Adams RE
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2015 · PMID 25844070 · Full text
Drawing on the lessons learned from previous disaster and disease outbreak studies over the past two decades, in the following article we review research related to social psychological assessment of community attitudes,...
Drawing on the lessons learned from previous disaster and disease outbreak studies over the past two decades, in the following article we review research related to social psychological assessment of community attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs associated with the recent Ebola outbreak and other public health threats, and discuss the use of this information to assist in future disaster planning and crisis communications. Psychologists, physicians, and others in the healthcare field need to be aware of these developments and involved with preparations related to mitigating the psychological impact of Ebola disease outbreaks among different populations, as well as other potential public health threats in the future.
Volunteerism and Well-Being in the Context of the World Trade Center Terrorist Attacks.
Adams RE, Boscarino JA
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2015 · PMID 25774097 · Full text
Using a community sample of New York City residents (N=1681) interviewed 1 and 2 years after the World Trade Center Disaster (WTCD), we estimated several logistic regression equations to assess predictors of volunteerism...
Using a community sample of New York City residents (N=1681) interviewed 1 and 2 years after the World Trade Center Disaster (WTCD), we estimated several logistic regression equations to assess predictors of volunteerism and the relationship between volunteerism and later well-being. Multivariate results show that those with more education, higher exposure to WTCD events, many life-time traumatic events, and pre-WTCD mental health problems were more likely to report volunteerism post-WTCD. African Americans and Latinos were less likely to volunteer, compared to Whites. Respondents scoring high on the Srole Anomie scale and reporting physical disabilities were also less likely to report volunteering in the aftermath of the WTCD. Multivariate results with volunteerism as an independent variable suggest that people who engaged in this activity were less likely to have poor well-being as measured by the SF-12 physical and mental health scales. We discuss these results as they relate to identity theory, the stress process model, and resilience and how community disaster researchers need to pay closer attention to how people interpret and give meaning to traumatic events.
Mai-Mai militia and sexual violence in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Guy KM
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585492
This article sets the reasons for the brutal violence against women. It focuses on three field sites providing insight into Mai-Mai motivations and their attitudes toward sexual violence. According to most sources, 5.5 m...
This article sets the reasons for the brutal violence against women. It focuses on three field sites providing insight into Mai-Mai motivations and their attitudes toward sexual violence. According to most sources, 5.5 million people have died since the beginning of the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1994, and rape is used as a weapon of destruction. More than 15,000 rapes were reported in the DRC in the last year--accounts of these rapes include descriptions of horrific acts, such as mutilation and the killing of unborn children. The sexual violence is so severe in the DRC that some have described rape in the country as the worst in the world. Sexual violence has long lasting consequences and far-reaching impacts on individual survivors, their families, and their communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Trauma in sub-Saharan Africa: review of cost, estimation methods, and interventions.
Smigelsky MA, Aten JD, Gerberich S … +6 more , Sanders M, Post R, Hook K, Ku A, Boan DM, Monroe P
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585491 · Publisher ↗
Trauma is a widely acknowledged problem facing individuals and communities in developing countries. In sub-Saharan Africa-a region that is home to some of the world's worst human rights violations, ethnic and civil confl...
Trauma is a widely acknowledged problem facing individuals and communities in developing countries. In sub-Saharan Africa-a region that is home to some of the world's worst human rights violations, ethnic and civil conflicts, disease epidemics, and conditions of poverty-trauma is an all-too-common experience in citizens' daily lives. In order to address these conditions effectively, the impact of trauma must be understood. The authors reviewed recent literature on the cost and consequences of psychological trauma in sub-Saharan Africa to provide a substantive perspective on how trauma affects individuals, communities, and organizations and to inform the effort to determine a method for measuring the impact of trauma in sub-Saharan Africa and the efficacy of trauma interventions in the region. Several recommendations are offered to help broaden and deepen the current approaches to conceptualizing trauma, evaluating its cost, and intervening on behalf of those impacted by trauma in sub-Saharan Africa.
Re-thinking typologies of multiple murders: the missing category of serial-mass murder and its theoretical and practical implications.
Edelstein A
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585490
The concept of multiple murders (mm) is as old as humanity itself but it has only become prevalent in academic thought within the last three decades. Over this period scholars have introduced two main attitudes regarding...
The concept of multiple murders (mm) is as old as humanity itself but it has only become prevalent in academic thought within the last three decades. Over this period scholars have introduced two main attitudes regarding multiple murders. Some argue that multiple murders are, theoretically and empirically, one concept that includes different sub-types: mass murder, spree murder, and serial murder. Other scholars claim that those "sub categories", are a whole different phenomenon, which are worthy and needed a separate examination and discussion because its uniqueness. To my opinion, this argument is more a semantic one than a fundamental one, as long as we consider each type of these murders as a unique phenomenon, with its own and unique characteristics. In addition both parties agree that the concept of multiple murders is differentiated into the same three main sub-categories. My argument is that a fourth sub-category of mm exists which goes unrecognized by most scholars. This sub-category, named "serial-mass murder," will help to differentiate the sub-categories more accurately and will more clearly define each of the remaining sub-categories.
Mini review: psychosocial stress such as violence against their partners could benefit general immunity in intimate partner violence perpetrators.
Romero-Martínez A, Lila M, Vitoria-Estruch … +1 more , Moya-Albiol L
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585489
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetrators use physical and/or psychological abuse to control their partners and achieve a dominant status. As dominance is associated with low disease risk and fast quick illness recove...
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetrators use physical and/or psychological abuse to control their partners and achieve a dominant status. As dominance is associated with low disease risk and fast quick illness recovery from an illness, such behaviors may contribute to improving their health at the expense of that of the battered women. Studies with immunological and hormonal parameters have recently revealed that IPV perpetrators present higher general immunocompetence (salivary IgA levels) in response to acute stress, especially during the preparation/anticipation period and when externalizing their anger. Salivary IgA levels have been proved to be increased by hormones, specifically by high testosterone and low cortisol characteristic in IPV perpetrators. Moreover, a high proneness to express anger (defined by high T/C ratio) supposes an increase in self-esteem and mental health. Thus, the use of violence against partners could reinforce their dominant status and, consequently, may serve to indirectly promote IPV perpetrators' immunity.
Treating veteran posttraumatic stress disorder using the Comprehensive Resource Model.
Heeg KA
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585488 · Publisher ↗
UNLABELLED: The Comprehensive Resource Model is a groundbreaking psychotherapeutic treatment modality with broad possibilities for use with the military veteran population. OBJECTIVE: This article describes a clinical ca...
UNLABELLED: The Comprehensive Resource Model is a groundbreaking psychotherapeutic treatment modality with broad possibilities for use with the military veteran population. OBJECTIVE: This article describes a clinical case example where this modality was used with a veteran presenting with severe PTSD symptoms. METHOD: Six 60-75 minute treatment sessions are described. Symptoms were measured before and after treatment and at a two-year follow-up using the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, and Clinical Global Impression scale. RESULTS: Findings showed that the treatment was effective at relieving symptoms of dissociation and flashbacks, even after two years. Some symptoms remained such as hypersensitivity to loud noises. CONCLUSION: The Comprehensive Resource Model, specifically the Resource Energy Grid, provided a safe, effective way to treat some very challenging symptoms. Studies on larger sample sizes would be necessary for generalizability. An Appendix by the spouse of the subject provides additional support for the findings.
Ten years of "CHOICES" in Portugal: four generations, a real resilient opportunity.
de Matos MG, Simões C, Figueira I … +1 more , Calado P
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585487 · Publisher ↗
"Escolhas" ("Choices") is a Portuguese programme that aims to promote children and youth social inclusion in deprived socioeconomic contexts. The present study aims to identify internal and external resources perceived b...
"Escolhas" ("Choices") is a Portuguese programme that aims to promote children and youth social inclusion in deprived socioeconomic contexts. The present study aims to identify internal and external resources perceived by children and adolescents that participated in the programme, to understand the impact in life contexts, and to identify the resources nominated by their family, project professionals and partners. A qualitative method was used in order to analyze 365 discourses from four different groups: children and adolescents (149), family (40), project professionals (126) and project partners (50). The model used was Benard's Conceptual Model for Resilience and Youth Development. The conclusions highlight the success and relevance of Programa Escolhas ("CHOICES") regarding the children and the adolescents and their families, by promoting social inclusion in deprived socioeconomic contexts.
Curbing road traffic accidents--the major cause of facial fractures.
Motamedi MH, Dadgar E, Ebrahimi A
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585486 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Why are psychiatric disorders in children becoming more and more common?
Buchhorn R
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585485
UNLABELLED: In the last decades, an increase of new paediatric problems requiring medical care like eating disorders, behavioural and attention problems has been observed. Based on the hypothesis that mental illness is a...
UNLABELLED: In the last decades, an increase of new paediatric problems requiring medical care like eating disorders, behavioural and attention problems has been observed. Based on the hypothesis that mental illness is accompanied by autonomic dysfunction, we compared measurements of heart rate variability (HRV) in Holter ECG's from children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with those of healthy children and a historical control from 1997. METHOD: We analysed the HRV parameters SDNN, rMSSD and pNN50 from 24 hours Holter ECG from children (mean age 10.8 years) with ADHD before or during medical therapy with methylphenidate (MPH). These values were compared with aged matched healthy children. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls ADHD children with and without MPH treatment showed significantly higher mean heart rates, lower pNN50 and lower RMSSD. pNN50 and RMSSD values of healthy children are lower compared to the historical control group from 1997. CONCLUSION: Compared to healthy children the peak of parasympathic activity measured by the HRV values pNN50 and RMSSD in early adolescence was reduced in children with ADHD. Compared to a historical control these values are also reduced in healthy children. A reduced vagal activity will--within the meaning of W. Porges polyvagal theory--have consequences on the social and emotional development of children. Moreover this observation may have consequences for an enhanced cardiovascular risk.
A longitudinal study of posttraumatic stress symptoms and their predictors in rescue workers after a firework factory disaster.
Ask E, Gudmundsdottir D
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585484 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: This is a follow up study on rescue workers participating in the primary rescue during and immediately after the explosion of a firework factory. We aimed to estimate the possible PTSD prevalence at five an...
INTRODUCTION: This is a follow up study on rescue workers participating in the primary rescue during and immediately after the explosion of a firework factory. We aimed to estimate the possible PTSD prevalence at five and 18 months post disaster, determining if the level of PTSD symptoms at 18 months could be predicted from factors measured at five months. METHODS: We included measures of posttraumatic symptoms, social support, locus of control and demographic questions. RESULTS: The possible PTSD prevalence rose from 1.6% (n = 465) at five months post disaster to 3.1% (n = 130) at 18 months. A hierarchical linear regression predicted 59% of PTSD symptoms variance at 18 months post disaster. In the final regression, somatization explained the greatest part of the symptom variance (42%), followed by locus of control (29%) and major life events prior to and right after the disaster (23%). CONCLUSION: Rescue workers seemed to be relatively robust to traumatic exposure: The prevalence of possible PTSD in our study was even lower than previous studies, probably because of the less severe consequences of the disaster studied. Furthermore, we found that PTSD symptom level at 18 months post disaster was highly predicted by psychological factors, particularly by somatization. However, further investigations of traumatic responding are required in this population.
The role of diffusion weighted MR imaging in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.
Aydin H, Tatar IG, Hekimoglu B
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585483 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To understand the utility of Diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: DWI can analyse the major manifestations of acute pancreatitis without any contrast agent us...
OBJECTIVE: To understand the utility of Diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: DWI can analyse the major manifestations of acute pancreatitis without any contrast agent use and may replace Abdominal CT and routine Pancreas MRI as a primary investigation tool for acute pancreatitis.
Does marriage explain murders in a society? In what way is divorce a public health concern?
Bourne PA, Hudson-Davis A, Sharpe-Pryce C … +7 more , Clarke J, Solan I, Rhule J, Francis C, Watson-Coleman O, Sharma A, Campbell-Smith J
Int J Emerg Ment Health · 2014 · PMID 25585482 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Like medicine, public health practitioners seek to understand causes of mortality, practices of humans and issues that can change population conditions, in order to preserve and care for life. The murder pa...
INTRODUCTION: Like medicine, public health practitioners seek to understand causes of mortality, practices of humans and issues that can change population conditions, in order to preserve and care for life. The murder pandemic has been such in Jamaica that the World Bank sponsored a qualitative study on crime in urban areas in Jamaica in the late 1990s to provide a platform to guide policy intervention and programmes. As a result this study will fill the gap in the literature by providing the evidence to support that divorce and marriage are public health concerns from the perspective of murders. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of divorce and marital relationships on murders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data for this study are taken from various Jamaica Government Publications. The period for this work is from 1950 through 2013. Data were recorded, stored and retrieved using the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, Version 21.0. The level of significance that is used to determine statistical significance is less than 5% (0.05). Ordinary least square (OLS) regression analyses and curve estimations were used to determine models and best fitted models. RESULTS: On average, annually, 523 Jamaicans are murdered (± 484), with there being 9,531 marriages (± 22,747) and 904 divorces (± 468). Logged marriage rate and divorce rate are factors of murder rate, with both independent factors accounting for 82.2% of the variability in the murder rate. Both factors are positively correlated with the murder rate, with the divorce rate accounting for most of the variance in the murder rate (R2 = 79.2%). CONCLUSION: Death can be extremely devasting to families, however, murder among married couples can severely disrupt the lives of both families along with any children from such relationship.
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