Posttraumatic reactions to an earthquake: Multidimensional scaling profile analysis of adolescent survivors

Abstract

The current study examined the prototypical profiles of posttraumatic stress reactions among a sample of 282 adolescent survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Based on a dimensional perspective, the results of profile analysis via multidimensional scaling (PAMS) model revealed a two-dimensional solution corresponding to four profiles: intrusion, avoidance/arousal, partial avoidance, and hyperarousal. These profiles of posttraumatic stress symptoms equally manifested across gender. In addition, the Intrusion Profile was found to be associated with more elevated psychological distress symptoms. Results are discussed with respect to the typical posttraumatic stress symptoms following the earthquake.

Effects of social supports on posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: Moderating role of perceived safety.

“…Thus, perceived safety, which is a cognitive belief about getting away from fear and anxiety, becomes more evident in the process of approach-symptoms in the fifth week after disaster; that is, given the more pathological nature of reexperiencing and hyperarousal, perceived safety may play a more prominent moderating role in the process of approach-symptoms. In addition, this finding was consistent with previous studies that approach-symptoms were more likely related to other psychological distresses, such as anxiety and somatization (Ding & Xia, 2013), and lower perceived safety was related with higher reexperiencing and hyperarousal but not the avoidance and numbing (Fullerton et al, 2006). When it comes to the mechanism underlying the relationship between social support and avoidance and numbing, other factors such as individuals’ coping style and time duration may be worked in this process.…”

“…In doing so, however, we did not suggest that these survivors suffered from PTSD. Rather we tended to believe that the survivors were more likely to suffer some PTSD symptoms, as suggested by Ding and Xia (2013). Although some of the survivors may develop full PTSD, this is not typical for most survivors (Ding & Xia, 2013).…”

Post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological distress in Chinese youths following the COVID-19 emergency

“…PSTD is a psychological disorder which can occur after people went through a traumatic experience such as earthquakes, hurricanes and SARS (Ding and Xia, 2014; Gonzalez et al, 2019; Mak et al, 2010). Its basic feature is the characteristic symptoms result from the exposure to a traumatic experience, or a personal tragic life event, or witness events involving death, injury or threat to the physical integrity of others (Lin et al, 2007).…”

Traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder among flood victims: Testing a multiple mediating model

“…Studies suggested that traumatized individuals might show some psychological problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety following natural disasters (Ding and Xia, 2014; Gan et al, 2013; Liang, 2017). Particularly, PTSD was considered as one of the common negative psychological outcomes following natural disasters such as floods (e.g.…”