The Effects of Life Changes on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after Disasters

Abstract

Background: This study investigated whether pre-and peri-disaster experiences influence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and whether post-disaster stress by life changes have impact on PTSD after controlling pre-and peri-disaster factors. Methods: Data came from a sample of 1,182 respondents who experienced natural disasters (flood and typhoon) in South Korea from 2012 to 2015. The SPSS Win 22.0 program was used for descriptive analysis, t-test, Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation and logistic regression analysis. Results: The results indicated that 24.3% of the disaster victims were in PTSD risk group. Compared with non-PTSD, PTSD risk group showed lower interpersonal trust and satisfaction, higher depression and anxiety, and lower subjective well-being. The results of hierarchical logistc regression revealed that all pre-, peri-, and post-disaster factors increased the probability of developing PTSD, except for relocation of residence. Moreover, a primary post-disaster predictor of PTSD was economic distress after controlling for pre-and peri-disaster. Conclusions: This study tested relative contributions of post-disaster factors on PTSD.

Effects of social support on mental health outcomes in disasters: A cross‐sectional study

“…Our findings revealed that individuals who reported higher disaster distress scores were more likely to have higher levels of depression and anxiety. Similarly, a previous study found that flood victims with greater post-traumatic stress had significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety than victims experiencing lesser posttraumatic stress (Lim & Sim, 2018). However, while the average anxiety level among young adults exposed to an earthquake was significantly higher than that of those who were not exposed, there was no significant difference in depression level between young adults exposed to the earthquake and those not exposed to it (Pistoia et al, 2018).…”

“…In addition, indirect exposure to disasters, including the disaster experiences of family and friends, and exposure to disaster as a rescue personnel or community volunteer, is also associated with psychological symptoms (Shultz et al, 2012; Thormar et al, 2010). Prior studies have targeted individuals who directly experienced specific disasters, such as earthquakes (Kwon & Park, 2019; Thapa et al, 2018), fires (S. Y. Jeon et al, 2019), floods (Bei et al, 2013; Lim & Sim, 2018), and storms (Sirey et al, 2017). However, the present study included people who were exposed, directly or indirectly, to one or more types of disasters, by recruiting a large community sample.…”

Moderating Effect of Personal and Community Resilience on the Relationship Between Disaster Trauma, Disaster Conflict, Economic Loss, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

“…The results of this study support those of previous studies that economic loss negatively affects PTSD. 7,22,23 Disaster conflict refers to a clash between an area's various members and organizations, where the regional system collapses and changes dynamically subsequent to a disaster. 18 It causes the weakening and isolation of community solidarity that leads to greater harm by reducing access to significant disasterrelated information and increasing psychological distress.…”

“…22 A meta-analysis showed that physical property loss caused by a catastrophe was a risk factor for PTSD, 7 and total asset reduction after a disaster increased its risk by 1.59 times, and by 1.71 times when experiencing economic grievances. 23 In summary, trauma, disaster conflict, and economic loss can be the main risk factors for PTSD experienced by disaster victims. Furthermore, efforts to minimize their negative influence are needed to help rapid recovery after a calamity.…”

The Psychiatric Comorbidity in Disaster Victims with PTSD: Comorbidity Rates, Severity of Psychological Disorders and Factors Predicting Comorbidities

“…한국의 조사 결과도 이와 유사한 비율을 보고하였다. 국립재난안전연구원의 2012년부터 2015년 재난피해자들을 PTSD 증상을 살펴본 결과, 재난피해자 중 과거 정신병리 이 력이 없는 사람들 중 약 24%가 재난 후 PTSD의 임상적 증 상을 보이는 위험군으로 분류되었다 (Lim HS et al, 2018).…”