Screening for Mental Distress Following the 2022 Marche Floods in Italy: A Comparative Study Using the Kessler Distress Scale in Directly Affected Individuals and a Control Group

ABSTRACT In recent years, extreme rainfall events led to severe flooding in several European countries which caused extraordinary human and economic losses. Such events, which are projected to become more likely because of climate change, expose many citizens to extremely stressful situations that involve intense fear, shock, and loss. Previous studies clearly point toward a direct relation between such flood experiences and negative mental health outcomes of those affected. However, existing studies commonly focus on directly exposed populations only, preventing a direct comparison with a control group. This makes it more difficult to separate the effect of the flood event from other factors that potentially affect the mental health of the respondents. Here, we use survey data from 698 residents from the Marche region in Italy, which was affected by disastrous flooding in 2022. The survey focused not only on the directly affected population (n = 392) but also included a nonaffected control group (n = 306). We use the short version of the Kessler Distress Scale (K6) as a screener for severe mental distress. Results show that directly affected respondents exhibit a 13.1%–16.7% higher prevalence rate of indications of severe mental distress compared to the control group. The significant impact of the flood event on negative mental health outcomes is further confirmed by regression analyses, which show a direct influence of several flood stressors on severe mental distress, including physical health impacts and higher water levels on one's own building. Since mental illness is associated with high burdens for those affected and their families, as well as high socioeconomic costs, this aspect deserves more attention in postdisaster contexts. The results presented in this article can be used as a reference by responsible authorities for estimating the additional demand for psychological assistance needed in the aftermath of such severe events.