A Prospective Study of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Adolescent Earthquake Victims

• Main Authors: Chia-Chuang Hsu, 許家璋
• Other Authors: Mian-Yoon Chong
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2001
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/88210008374151579439

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 行為科學研究所 === 89 === In recent decades, studies on disaster focus on reactions of victims exposed to the traumatic events, further to conceptualize models for various psychological reactions and to ascertain risks for developing post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). This prospective study aims at assessing the exposure experience and posttraumatic stress disorder among adolescent earthquake victims in the worst affected region close to the epicenter of the1999 Taiwan earthquake. All remaining 323 students of the only 2 high schools at Chungliao were assessed for primary exposure experience and subjective symptoms via self-rated questionnaires one month after the earthquake, while psychiatrists made independent diagnosis for PTSD using the Children Interview for Psychiatric Syndromes (ChIPS). The above self-rated questionnaires were completed four months later. At 9th month after the earthquake, the students were follow-up by psychiatrists and assessment of secondary exposure experience and subjective symptoms were also evaluated. Among the 323 students, more than one-fifth (21.7%) demonstrated PTSD one month after the earthquake. Those with PTSD showed significant psychiatric symptomatology than those with non-PTSD. Physical injury and death of family members living together were two major factors at risk for PTSD. Nine months after the earthquake, only 4.9% students had PTSD. Being a case of PTSD at 1-month interval after the earthquake and excessive worry about relational problems with family members were two major factors at risk for PTSD. Cases with PTSD also had significant depressive symptoms than non-cases. This study demonstrated that certain earthquake-exposure experience was highly related to the PTSD and distress symptoms. Long-term follow-up of the victims is suggested to prevent the development of other psychiatric complications.