Citation

Khoosal DI, Broad JA, Smith RJ, Settle JA. Burns 1987; 13(5): 411-415.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University of Leeds, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3427501

Abstract

The horrific disaster at the Valley Parade Football [soccer] Stadium, Bradford, on 11 May 1985 left 53 people dead in the fire and many more seriously injured. This detailed study of five of the most seriously injured victims was started 3 weeks after the fire. Patients were interviewed and rating scales (Irritability Depression Anxiety Scale--IDA, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale--HDRS, Spielberger Anxiety Scale--STAI, Beck Depression Inventory--BDI, General Health Questionnaire--GHQ), were completed regularly, until the first anniversary of the disaster. Each victim showed some psychopathology over the study period. Depression and anxiety, the commonest reactions, were most troublesome at times of stress. While it is likely that the disaster itself predisposed the victims to these reactions, the contribution of the stressful events occurring around the time of the disaster cannot be ignored. These findings suggest that IDA, GHQ and STAI function as an effective screening triage for detecting those disaster victims who may need psychological help and support.

Language: en