Nelson C Y Yeung1, Joseph T F Lau2, Nancy Xiaonan Yu3, Jianping Zhang4, Zhening Xu5, Kai Chow Choi6, Qi Zhang7, Winnie W S Mak8, Wacy W S Lui9. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Houston. 2. The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 3. Department of Applied Social Sciences, The City University of Hong Kong. 4. School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University. 5. Institute of Youth and Juvenile Studies, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. 6. The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 7. The School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University. 8. Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 9. Hospital Authority.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence and the psychosocial predictors of probable PTSD among Chinese adolescents in Kunming (approximately 444 miles from the epicenter), China, who were indirectly exposed to the Sichuan Earthquake in 2008. METHOD: Using a longitudinal study design, primary and secondary school students (N = 3577) in Kunming completed questionnaires at baseline (June 2008) and 6 months afterward (December 2008) in classroom settings. Participants' exposure to earthquake-related imagery and content, perceptions and emotional reactions related to the earthquake, and posttraumatic stress symptoms were measured. Univariate and forward stepwise multivariable logistic regression models were fit to identify significant predictors of probable PTSD at the 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Prevalences of probable PTSD (with a Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale score ≥30) among the participants at baseline and 6-month follow-up were 16.9% and 11.1% respectively. In the multivariable analysis, those who were frequently exposed to distressful imagery had experienced at least two types of negative life events, perceived that teachers were distressed due to the earthquake, believed that the earthquake resulted from damages to the ecosystem, and felt apprehensive and emotionally disturbed due to the earthquake reported a higher risk of probable PTSD at 6-month follow-up (all ps < .05). CONCLUSION: Exposure to distressful media images, emotional responses, and disaster-related perceptions at baseline were found to be predictive of probable PTSD several months after indirect exposure to the event. Parents, teachers, and the mass media should be aware of the negative impacts of disaster-related media exposure on adolescents' psychological health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence and the psychosocial predictors of probable PTSD among Chinese adolescents in Kunming (approximately 444 miles from the epicenter), China, who were indirectly exposed to the Sichuan Earthquake in 2008. METHOD: Using a longitudinal study design, primary and secondary school students (N = 3577) in Kunming completed questionnaires at baseline (June 2008) and 6 months afterward (December 2008) in classroom settings. Participants' exposure to earthquake-related imagery and content, perceptions and emotional reactions related to the earthquake, and posttraumatic stress symptoms were measured. Univariate and forward stepwise multivariable logistic regression models were fit to identify significant predictors of probable PTSD at the 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Prevalences of probable PTSD (with a Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale score ≥30) among the participants at baseline and 6-month follow-up were 16.9% and 11.1% respectively. In the multivariable analysis, those who were frequently exposed to distressful imagery had experienced at least two types of negative life events, perceived that teachers were distressed due to the earthquake, believed that the earthquake resulted from damages to the ecosystem, and felt apprehensive and emotionally disturbed due to the earthquake reported a higher risk of probable PTSD at 6-month follow-up (all ps < .05). CONCLUSION: Exposure to distressful media images, emotional responses, and disaster-related perceptions at baseline were found to be predictive of probable PTSD several months after indirect exposure to the event. Parents, teachers, and the mass media should be aware of the negative impacts of disaster-related media exposure on adolescents' psychological health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
Authors: Joseph T F Lau; Yoona Kim; Anise M S Wu; Zixin Wang; Bishan Huang; Phoenix K H Mo Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2017-03-03 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Brian J Hall; Ying Xin Xiong; Paul S Y Yip; Chao Kei Lao; Wei Shi; Elvo K L Sou; Kay Chang; Li Wang; Agnes I F Lam Journal: Eur J Psychotraumatol Date: 2019-01-14