Post traumatic stress disorder and coping strategies among adult survivors of earthquake, Nepal

Abstract

Background Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most frequently reported psychiatric morbidity among the survivors of natural disasters. It is the main hindrance to rehabilitate their life. However its prevalence particularly in Nepal is largely unknown. Aims and objectives To investigate the prevalence of post traumatic stress disorder and use of coping strategies among the adult survivors of earthquake. Methods A cross- sectional descriptive study was carried out on a sample of 291 adult survivors after 10 months of Nepal Earthquake 2015. Study setting was Nuwakot district with multistage sampling (cluster sampling and systematic random sampling) method. PTSD checklist-5 was used to measure PTSD, and adapted and modified brief cope scale was used to assess coping strategies. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (independent t-test and one-way ANOVA) at 5% level of significance. Results Study findings revealed that PTSD was prevalent among 24.10% of adult survivors with highest intrusion symptoms (3.24 ± 0.71). It was significantly associated with age ( p = 0.017), sex ( p = 0.013), education ( p < 0.0001) and injury to self ( p = 0.003). Elderly, females, illiterates and those who were injured during earthquake are at more risk for PTSD. Highest used coping strategy was active coping (2.92 ± 0.51). Survivors not having PTSD scored more on active coping ( p < 0.0001) and self distraction coping ( p = 0.006) while those with PTSD mostly used passive coping ( p < 0.0001), religious coping ( p < 0.0001) and substance use coping ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion Earthquake poses significant impact on mental health of the survivors. After 10 months of devastating earthquake, prevalence of PTSD among the survivors is high. Maladaptive coping strategies further increase possibility of PTSD. Effective screening and awareness program regarding promotion of positive coping strategies among the vulnerable groups should be reinforced for prevention of psychiatric morbidity among the survivors of earthquake.

Psychosocial care for hospitalized young survivors after the terror attack on Utøya Island: A qualitative study of the survivors’ experiences

“…The significant positive effect of sustained physical injury on later PTSR found in our study corresponds with findings from research after various potentially traumatic mass events such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and war (Adhikari Baral & K, 2019;Koren et al, 2005;. None of these studies includes findings from shooting attacks, though.…”

“…Also, psychological factors which often are comorbid with PTSR, such as depression, may act as mediators contributing to physical complaints (Lewis et al, 2019;Schnurr & Jankowski, 1999). Further, PTSR have been associated with behavioral risk factors such as substance abuse, inactivity, poor sleep, and altered appraisals of somatic symptoms, potentially amplifying experienced somatic health complaints (Adhikari Baral & K, 2019;Afari et al, 2014;Hall, Hoerster, & Yancy, 2015;Mysliwiec et al, 2018).…”

Coping style, social support and psychological distress in the general Chinese population in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic

“…When confronted with a single stressor or constellation of stressors, individuals are forced to consider their coping resources and select a coping response accordingly. A previous study of post-traumatic symptoms in survivors after a catastrophic earthquake associated active coping with well-being, while passive coping was often related to psychological distress [ 15 ]. Nevertheless, another study found that passive coping styles may have beneficial effects on relieving stress and temporarily coping with setbacks, suggesting that the difference between the two coping styles may be quantitative [ 16 ].…”

Substance use and depressive and anxiety symptoms among out-of-school adolescent girls and young women in Cape Town, South Africa

“…[34] As it relates to anxiety, the association between substance use and symptoms may depend on the particular type of anxiety disorder that one experiences. For example, the link between post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use has been consistently demonstrated among other populations such as adult women, [35] survivors of natural disasters [36] and survivors of victimisation. [37] Therefore, the associations may be more nuanced than the current article can examine due to the limitations of secondary data analysis.…”