Indeed, many studies show higher rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) present in the population following a natural disaster, when compared with unaffected regions, and predisaster rates [6?]. Earthquakes may present affected communities with further challenges as survivors not only have to contend with the trauma of a sudden natural disaster, and perhaps the associated displacement, loss of key services, financial security and damage to property, but also numerous aftershocks that make it difficult for RG1662 msds psychological recovery and the rebuilding process to take place [3, 10, 11]. Indeed, research with earthquake survivors has shown higher levels of depression, anxiety, PTSD and stress in the affected population [9, 11?7]. Additionally, there is evidence that in the years following a disaster, stress levels may be maintained or even exacerbated as a result of dealing with insurance claims and other bureaucratic institutions that may sometimes be perceived as less than helpful [10, 11]. Research from Canterbury in the aftermath of the two major earthquakes has documented similar psychological consequences. Such findings include reports of intense fear, sleep disturbances, cognitive CCX282-B site dysfunction, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, uncertainty, guilt, PTSD, and the burden of attending to other more vulnerable members of the community [18?3]. Qualitative research also suggests that uncertainty, chronic stress and feelings of tiredness became `the new normal’ for those who remained in Christchurch after February 2011 [17?9]. Similar results have been found using longitudinal data from a study that was underway before the first earthquake (n = 142) [23]. These researchers assessed mental health and personality over three time points pre-earthquake and found a decrease in mental health after both the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes that was predicted by pre-earthquake levels of neuroticism, depression and self-control. Similarly, research has found that those with higher levels of emotional stability (i.e., the converse of neuroticism) experienced less of an increase in psychological distress after the earthquakes, and that emotional stability decreased post-earthquakes, suggesting a greater vulnerability to depression, anxiety and other negative mental health outcomes [24, 25]. Whereas the above-mentioned studies examined the consequences of exposure to the earthquakes across the general Canterbury region, there are reasons to believe that differential changes in mental health may occur within specific areas of Christchurch (i.e., those with differential rates of damage). After the September 2010 earthquake, a door-to-door survey was completed across two neighbourhoods which had similar demographic compositions but varied on the amount of damage and the extent to which residents were displaced from their homes following the disaster [26]. They found that at 8?0 weeks post-earthquake, the two communities had no difference in terms of acute stress symptoms. Residents of the community that suffered more damage during the earthquake, however, had higher depression and anxiety scores than did residents of the other neighbourhood. This suggests that, although negative mental health effects were present across neighbourhoods, those who experience more property damage had higher levels of anxiety and depression post-earthquakes. Other studies also suggest that some areas of Christchurch may recover more quickly than others, depending on th.Indeed, many studies show higher rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) present in the population following a natural disaster, when compared with unaffected regions, and predisaster rates [6?]. Earthquakes may present affected communities with further challenges as survivors not only have to contend with the trauma of a sudden natural disaster, and perhaps the associated displacement, loss of key services, financial security and damage to property, but also numerous aftershocks that make it difficult for psychological recovery and the rebuilding process to take place [3, 10, 11]. Indeed, research with earthquake survivors has shown higher levels of depression, anxiety, PTSD and stress in the affected population [9, 11?7]. Additionally, there is evidence that in the years following a disaster, stress levels may be maintained or even exacerbated as a result of dealing with insurance claims and other bureaucratic institutions that may sometimes be perceived as less than helpful [10, 11]. Research from Canterbury in the aftermath of the two major earthquakes has documented similar psychological consequences. Such findings include reports of intense fear, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, uncertainty, guilt, PTSD, and the burden of attending to other more vulnerable members of the community [18?3]. Qualitative research also suggests that uncertainty, chronic stress and feelings of tiredness became `the new normal’ for those who remained in Christchurch after February 2011 [17?9]. Similar results have been found using longitudinal data from a study that was underway before the first earthquake (n = 142) [23]. These researchers assessed mental health and personality over three time points pre-earthquake and found a decrease in mental health after both the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes that was predicted by pre-earthquake levels of neuroticism, depression and self-control. Similarly, research has found that those with higher levels of emotional stability (i.e., the converse of neuroticism) experienced less of an increase in psychological distress after the earthquakes, and that emotional stability decreased post-earthquakes, suggesting a greater vulnerability to depression, anxiety and other negative mental health outcomes [24, 25]. Whereas the above-mentioned studies examined the consequences of exposure to the earthquakes across the general Canterbury region, there are reasons to believe that differential changes in mental health may occur within specific areas of Christchurch (i.e., those with differential rates of damage). After the September 2010 earthquake, a door-to-door survey was completed across two neighbourhoods which had similar demographic compositions but varied on the amount of damage and the extent to which residents were displaced from their homes following the disaster [26]. They found that at 8?0 weeks post-earthquake, the two communities had no difference in terms of acute stress symptoms. Residents of the community that suffered more damage during the earthquake, however, had higher depression and anxiety scores than did residents of the other neighbourhood. This suggests that, although negative mental health effects were present across neighbourhoods, those who experience more property damage had higher levels of anxiety and depression post-earthquakes. Other studies also suggest that some areas of Christchurch may recover more quickly than others, depending on th.