Predictors of recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder after the dongting lake flood in China: a 13–14 year follow-up study

Abstract

BackgroundFloods are some of the most common and destructive natural disasters in the world, potentially leading to both physical injuries and psychological disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can damage functional capacity and interfere with social functioning. However, little is known about recovery from PTSD after floods. This study used 2013–2014 follow-up data on survivors of the 1998 Dongting Lake flood who were diagnosed with PTSD in 2000 to measure the prevalence rate of PTSD at follow-up and identify predictors of recovery from the PTSD diagnosis in 2000.MethodsParticipants included survivors who had been diagnosed as having PTSD in 2000 after the 1998 Dongting Lake flood. PTSD at follow-up was reassessed using the PTSD Checklist-Civilian version. Information on demographics, trauma-related stressors, post-trauma stressors, social support, and coping style were collected through face-to-face interviews. The association between the independent variables and PTSD at follow-up was analyzed using logistic regression analyses.ResultsA total of 201 participants with a PTSD diagnosis in 2000 were included in this study. A total of 19.4 % of the flood survivors with PTSD in 2000 continued to suffer from PTSD in 2013–2014. In the multivariable logistic regression model, individuals who had lost relatives (OR = 12.37, 95 % CI = 2.46–62.16), suffered from bodily injury (OR = 5.01, 95 % CI = 1.92–13.08), had a low level of social support (OR = 5.47, 95 % CI = 1.07–27.80), or had a negative coping style (OR = 4.92, 95 % CI = 1.89–12.81) were less likely to recover from PTSD.ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of PTSD at follow-up indicates that natural disasters such as floods may have a negative influence on survivors’ mental health for an extended period of time. Individuals who have lost relatives, suffered from bodily injury, had a low level of social support, or had a negative coping style were less likely to recover from PTSD. Therefore, effective psychological intervention measures are necessary for facilitating the recovery process from PTSD, especially for individuals with adverse prognostic factors.

Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder among road traffic accident survivors

“…Gender difference in PTSD could be largely attributed to gender difference in coping strategies when facing trauma, as well as gender difference in interpretation of trauma. [ 45 – 47 ] For example, it has been well-established that female subjects interpret trauma more negatively than their male counterparts. [ 45 ] Similarly, coping strategies for individuals with low education level were poorer than for those with high education level, thus affecting PTSD status.…”

Long-term psychological outcomes of flood survivors of hard-hit areas of the 1998 Dongting Lake flood in China: Prevalence and risk factors

“…A devastating flood struck Yangzi River in China in 1998, causing 4,150 deaths, destroying 6.9 million houses and displacing 18.4 million people [ 24 ]. Dongting Lake, located in Hunan Province, was the area most affected by the flood.…”

Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Mental Health Problems among the Survivors in the Flash Floods and Landslide in Southern Thailand

“…Previous studies also support that having a prior physical condition was related to the prevalence of PTSD [11,27,32], and psychological distress [26] after the flood. For individuals injured during the flood, previous studies of the Thai population studied found a higher prevalence rate of PTSD and depression in persons who had been injured during a tsunami [31] and a longitudinal study in Southern Thailand support that individuals who suffered from physical injury after the flood were less likely to recover from PTSD [6]. Our study was congruent with a study of a Chinese population which found that physical injury during a natural disaster was more likely to result in having severe PTSD [1].…”

“…Floods are a most common disaster negatively impacting the mental health of the survivors [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] with both short-term and long-term consequences. It is also predicted that the occurrence of flooding will continue to increase in loss and damage around the world in the decades to come [8][9][10] from both the impact of natural and human causes.…”