Ask Elklit1. 1. Dept. of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Jens Chr. Skous Vej 4, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark. aske@psy.au.dk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological consequences of an explosion disaster in a residential area in Kolding, Denmark, in November 2004. METHOD: A community sample of 516 evacuated adults and a control group of 119 residents situated near the disaster area, but not affected by the explosion were assessed 3 months after the disaster by standardized instruments. RESULTS: Of the evacuated sample, 13% met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD in contrast to 1% in the control group; 35% of the exposed sample and 7% of the control group were identified as 'probable cases' by the GHQ-30 (both p's < 0.0005). CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence of the negative impact of a technological disaster on mental health and the need of preventive interventions.
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological consequences of an explosion disaster in a residential area in Kolding, Denmark, in November 2004. METHOD: A community sample of 516 evacuated adults and a control group of 119 residents situated near the disaster area, but not affected by the explosion were assessed 3 months after the disaster by standardized instruments. RESULTS: Of the evacuated sample, 13% met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD in contrast to 1% in the control group; 35% of the exposed sample and 7% of the control group were identified as 'probable cases' by the GHQ-30 (both p's < 0.0005). CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence of the negative impact of a technological disaster on mental health and the need of preventive interventions.
Authors: H K Armenian; M Morikawa; A K Melkonian; A P Hovanesian; N Haroutunian; P A Saigh; K Akiskal; H S Akiskal Journal: Acta Psychiatr Scand Date: 2000-07 Impact factor: 6.392
Authors: Margot J Verschuur; Philip Spinhoven; Arnold A P van Emmerik; Frits R Rosendaal Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2007-10-29 Impact factor: 4.328