Posttraumatic stress disorder among survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake 1 year after: prevalence and risk factors
Abstract
Exposure to earthquakes has been associated with psychological distress in particular, the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of PTSD, explore the associated risk factors among survivors 1 year after the Wenchuan earthquake in China, and compare the findings in our study to other disasters. Cross-sectional sample survey was conducted to collect data in severely affected counties. We use the PTSD Check List-Civilian Version, which consists of 17 items corresponding to each symptom in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition PTSD criteria B, C, and D. The prevalence estimates of probable PTSD in our sample ranged from 21.5% (based on Check List-Civilian Version score of 50 or higher) to 40.1% (based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria). The prevalence of PTSD was high, compared with rates of PTSD in previous studies. Low social support, feeling fear during the earthquake, female, young people, Han nationality, low monthly income, and low educational level were risk factors significantly related to the development of PTSD. Postdisaster mental health recovery interventions including early identification, ongoing monitoring, and sustained psychosocial support are required for the high-risk population with PTSD. Existing rural and urban health care services should be convenient for people, and special measures need to be designed, such a…
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- Authors
- Xu, J., & Song, X.
- Affiliations
- Sichuan University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Xu, Jiuping
- ORCID
- Xu, Jiuping
- Venue
- Comprehensive Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-07
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 431-437
- ISSN
- 0010-440X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1998081652
- Cited by
- 142
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 8.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Comprehensive Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Emergency Medical Services › Disaster Response and Management
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, Wenchuan earthquake, earthquake survivors, PTSD prevalence, risk factors, social support, sex differences, low income, educational attainment, rural mental health services, psychosocial support
- MeSH terms
- Adult, China, Cross-Sectional Studies, Disasters, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Social Support, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Prevalence, Survivors, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Earthquakes
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