Mental health problems among survivors in hard-hit areas of the 5.12 Wenchuan and 4.20 Lushan earthquakes
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Earthquake exposure has often been associated with psychological distress. However, little is known about the cumulative effect of exposure to two earthquakes on psychological distress and in particular, the effect on the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression disorders. AIMS: This study explored the effect of exposure on mental health outcomes after a first earthquake and again after a second earthquake. METHODS: A population-based mental health survey using self-report questionnaires was conducted on 278 people in the hard-hit areas of Lushan and Baoxing Counties 13-16 months after the Wenchuan earthquake (Sample 1). 191 of these respondents were evaluated again 8-9 months after the Lushan earthquake (Sample 2), which struck almost 5 years after the Wenchuan earthquake. RESULTS: In Sample 1, the prevalence rates for PTSD, anxiety and depression disorders were 44.53, 54.25 and 51.82%, respectively, and in Sample 2 the corresponding rates were 27.27, 38.63 and 36.93%. Females, the middle-aged, those of Tibetan nationality, and people who reported fear during the earthquake were at an increased risk of experiencing post-traumatic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of PTSD, anxiety and depression disorders decreased from Sample 1 to Sample 2, the cumulative effect of exposure to two earthquakes on mental health problems was serious in the hard-hit areas. Therefore, it is important that psychological counseling be provided for earthquake victims, and especially those exposed to multiple earthquakes.
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The current findings are consistent with previous studies that exposing public health emergency can cause public mental health problems, such as Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes, 2014 Ebola Outbreak, and SARS.
“These findings are consistent with the previous studies’ that exposing public health emergency can cause public mental health problems, such as Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes[17], 2014 Ebola Outbreak[7,18], and SARS[19].”
From Mental health problems and social media exposure during COVID-19 outbreak (2020) · cites this paper as [17]
Participants from Hubei province, the infectious focus directly exposed to public health emergency, may suffer more mental health problems.
“It indicated that participants from Hubei province- the infectious focus directly expose to public health emergency, and may suffer more mental health problemes[17,19].”
From Mental health problems and social media exposure during COVID-19 outbreak (2020) · cites this paper as [17]
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- Authors
- Xie, Z., Xu, J., & Wu, Z.
- Affiliations
- Sichuan University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Xu, Jiuping
- Venue
- Journal of Mental Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-01-02
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 43-49
- ISSN
- 0963-8237 (ISSN-L)
- 1360-0567
- OpenAlex
- W2579200804
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2
- FWCI
- 5.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Mental Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Transportation › Earthquake and Disaster Impact Studies
- Keywords
- earthquake survivors, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, Wenchuan earthquake, Lushan earthquake, psychological distress, Tibetan population, psychological counseling, PTSD risk factors
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety Disorders, Mental Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Disasters, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Survivors, Young Adult, Earthquakes
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