Risk Factors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Survivors after the 512 Wenchuan Earthquake in China
Author Information
Author(s): Zhang Yuqing, Ho Samuel M. Y.
Primary Institution: Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Hypothesis
What are the psychological reactions and risk factors associated with PTSD among survivors of the 512 Wenchuan earthquake?
Conclusion
The study found that 84.8% of survivors experienced PTSD symptoms, with significant risk factors including being female, older age, higher exposure to traumatic events, and negative affect in Type-D personality.
Supporting Evidence
- 84.8% of survivors showed PTSD symptoms one to two months after the earthquake.
- Significant risk factors for PTSD included being female and older age.
- Participants reported an average of two traumatic events during the earthquake.
Takeaway
After a big earthquake, many people felt very sad and scared, especially women and older people, and those who went through more scary things.
Methodology
The study used questionnaires to assess PTSD symptoms and risk factors among 956 earthquake survivors.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the convenience sampling method and reliance on self-reported data.
Limitations
The study's short post-disaster period and the limited scope of trauma exposure items may affect the findings.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 389 males and 567 females, aged 15 to 86, with a mean age of 36.69 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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