Prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder among Chinese youths after an earthquake

Authors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2013.41.10.1613
Keywords:
earthquake, natural disaster, youths, survivors, posttraumatic stress disorder, prevalence, predictors, China
Abstract

In the current study we investigated the prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Chinese youths after an earthquake. A total of 753 middle school students participated in the survey and 99.5% of them were of Tibetan ethnicity. The University of California, Los Angeles PTSD Reaction Index was used to assess PTSD symptoms and a total of 101 participants were identified as probable PTSD cases. Independent predictors of PTSD included female sex, being injured, witnessing death, and derealisation during the earthquake. Our results add to extant understanding of the impact of disasters on youth mental health, and carry implications for revising the current Criterion A2 of PTSD in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Author Biographies
  1. Yue Wei, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology
  2. Li Wang, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology
  3. Richu Wang, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology
  4. Chengqi Cao, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology
  5. Zhanbiao Shi, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology
  6. Jianxin Zhang, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology
References
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Published
2013-08-14
Issue
Vol. 41 No. 10 (2013)
Section
Articles
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