@article{ref1,
title="Six years after the wave. Trajectories of posttraumatic stress following a natural disaster",
journal="Journal of anxiety disorders",
year="2015",
author="Johannesson, Kerstin Bergh and Arinell, Hans and Arnberg, Filip K.",
volume="36",
number="",
pages="15-24",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The characteristics of long-term trajectories of distress after disasters are unclear, since few studies include a comparison group. This study examines trajectories of recovery among survivors in comparison to individuals with indirect exposure. <br><br>METHODS: Postal surveys were sent to Swedish tourists, repatriated from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami (n=2268), at 1, 3, and 6 years after the tsunami to assess posttraumatic stress (PTS) and poor mental health. Items were used to ascertain high and moderate disaster exposure groups and an indirect exposure comparison group. <br><br>RESULTS: Long-term PTS trajectories were best characterized by a resilient (72.3%), a severe chronic (4.6%), a moderate chronic (11.2%) and a recovering (11.9%) trajectory. Trajectories reported higher levels of PTS than the comparison group. Exposure severity and bereavement were highly influential risk factors. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These findings have implications regarding anticipation of long-term psychological adjustment after natural disasters and need for interventions after a single traumatic event with few secondary stressors.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0887-6185",
doi="10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.07.007",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.07.007"
}