Citation

Johannesson KB, Michel PO, Hultman CM, Lindam A, Arnberg F, Lundin T. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 2009; 197(5): 316-323.

Affiliation

Department of Neuroscience, National Center for Disaster Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Emmy Rappes väg 10, Uppsala SE 750 17, Sweden. kerstin.bergh.johannesson@neuro.uu.se

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181a206f7

PMID

19440104

Abstract

The aim was to examine long-term mental health and posttraumatic stress symptomatology in a Swedish tourist population after exposure to the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami. Data from 4822 returned questionnaires 14 months after the disaster were analyzed. Respondents were categorized into 3 subgroups: (1) danger-to-life exposure group (having been caught or chased by the waves), (2) nondanger-to-life exposure group (exposed to other disaster-related stressors), and (3) low exposure group. Main outcome measures were General Health Questionnaire-12 and Impact of Event Scale-22-Revised. Danger-to-life exposure was an important factor in causing more severe posttraumatic stress symptoms and in affecting mental health. Female gender, single status, and former trauma experiences were associated with greater distress. Other factors related to more severe symptoms were loss of relatives, physical injuries, viewing many dead bodies, experiencing life threat, and showing signs of cognitive confusion. Disaster exposure has a substantial impact on survivors, which stresses the need for long-lasting support.

Language: en