After the Wenchuan Earthquake Relief Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Found in a Rescue Group

The incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in earthquake rescue workers is relatively high suggests previous studies. Risk factors for this disorder include demographic characteristics, earthquake-related high-risk factors, risk factors in the rescue process, personality, social support and coping style.

A recent study published in the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 8, No. 20, 2013) examined the current status of a unit of 1 040 rescue workers who participated in earthquake relief for the Wenchuan earthquake that occurred on May 12th, 2008. According the the study, post-traumatic stress disorder was diagnosed primarily using the Clinician-Administered Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale during structured interviews.

Univariate and multivariate sta-tistical analyses were used to examine major risk factors that contributed to the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder. Findings showed that the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder was the result of the interaction of multiple factors, including near-death experience, severe injury or mental trauma, working in the epicenter of the rescue, neurotic personality, negative coping and low social support.

Source: Eurekalert