A Cross-Cultural Study of Depression in the Aftermath of a Natural Disaster

This study evaluated the extent and severity of depressive symptoms among adults (n=1015) in Armenia one year after the 1988 earthquake, using an Armenian translation of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-Arm). Earthquake surivivors had higher levels of depression than did their non-earthquake counterparts. For both the quake and non-quake regions, women were found to have higher scores on the BDI-Arm than men, and persons between the ages of 31–55 reported significantly higher depressive ratings than individuals who were 17–30. Interactions between the quake and non-quake areas and gender indicated that women in both areas reported significantly more depressive symptoms than men. The psychometric properties of the BDI-Arm compared favorably to those defined by North American studies.     

Preventing the detrimental effect of posttraumatic stress in young children: The role of theory of mind in the aftermath of a natural disaster

We conducted a field study to test whether parents' negative reactions to a natural disaster affected children's reactions, together with the factors buffering this negative influence. Specifically, we examined whether parents' posttraumatic stress symptoms following an earthquake were associated with children's posttraumatic symptoms and their use of negative coping strategies. Theory of mind (ToM) was tested as the factor allowing children to reduce the detrimental effects of posttraumatic stress symptoms on negative coping. Hypotheses were tested in a sample of elementary school children and their parents in the aftermath of the earthquakes that struck Northern Italy in 2012. Results revealed that mothers' (but not fathers') posttraumatic stress symptoms were positively associated with children's posttraumatic stress symptoms, which acted as mediator on the use of negative coping strategies by children, but only among children with low ToM abilities. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of findings.     

5·12汶川地震后灾区教师主观幸福感的变化趋势及中介效应分析

·12汶川地震发生两个月后,对508名灾区的幼儿园、中小学教师进行测量,结合他们对地震前状况的回忆,考察其地震后主观幸福感的变化情况及其影响因素。结果表明：（1）与回忆得到的地震前感受相比,地震后灾区教师体验到主观幸福感水平显著降低。（2）极重灾区教师体验到的主观幸福感降低程度大于重灾区和轻灾区教师。（3）教师遭受的客观损失严重程度能显著预测其体验到的主观幸福感降低;而创伤后身心症状在其中起完全中介的作用,即创伤事件引发教师创伤后身心症状,而这些症状日趋严重,使其体验到的消极情感增加、主观幸福感降低。     

5·12地震灾后四川和北京大学生价值观类型的对比

价值观作为社会意识形态的反映,会受到重大社会事件的影响。5·12汶川大地震以其突发性和巨大的破坏性特征成为影响价值观的可能因素之一。该研究以青年大学生为对象,以“价值观类型量表”为工具,关注地震后大学生价值观的变化特点,并对比北京、四川两地大学生价值观特点的异同。结果发现：1）灾后北京和四川两地大学生的价值观整体排住从高到低依次是：社会型、实用型、信仰型、科学型、政治型、审美型。2）社会型价值观已经成为大学生的主导价值观,且四川大学生更为重视。3）北京和四川大学生在震后的价值观系统均包含四个层次,其中在北京大学生的价值系统中,社会型是第一层次,实用型是第二层次,信仰型是第三层次,审美型、政治型和科学型合并为第四层次;而在四川大学生的价值系统中,社会型是第一层次,实用型和信仰型合并为第二层次,科学型是第三层次,政治型和审美型合并为第四层次。     

Effects of live exposure on symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder: the role of reduced behavioral avoidance in improvement

Although the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral treatment in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is well established, few studies examined its effects on individual PTSD symptoms and possible mechanisms of improvement in symptoms. In a previous randomized controlled study [Ba?og lu, M., Salciog lu, E., Livanou, M., Kalender, D., & Acar, G. (2005). Single-session behavioral treatment of earthquake-related posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized waitlist controlled trial. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 18, 1-11] a single session of behavioral treatment involving self-exposure instructions was highly effective in reducing earthquake-related PTSD. In the present study we examined the effects of treatment on each PTSD symptom and which symptoms improved early in treatment. Because the intervention focused solely on behavioral avoidance, we hypothesized that avoidance would be the first symptom to change and that reduction in avoidance would generalize to all other symptoms. The results showed significant between-groups treatment effect on only behavioral avoidance early in treatment (week 6). At 6 months post-treatment recovery rates ranged from 60% to 89% for 15 PTSD symptoms, including the numbing symptoms. Lack of improvement in avoidance was associated with lack of improvement in 12 symptoms. The critical process in recovery thus appeared to be increased sense of control associated with reduction in avoidance. These findings imply that live exposure to fear cues designed to enhance sense of control might be sufficient for recovery from PTSD.     

四川地震灾后中小学教师心理创伤评估报告

课题研究组对四川地震灾后重灾区和极重灾区的631名中小学教师创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）进行了调查,调查后对统计结果分析表明：（1）有PTSD重度症状表现的教师为18.7%;（2）极重灾区教师创伤显著高于重灾区教师;（3）青年教师的创伤要高于年长教师;（4）地震后部分教师感到内疚,无助,压抑,无信心,生命无意义,他们成为PTSD症状的易感人群     

汶川地震8.5年后青少年身心状况研究

汶川地震8.5年后,对地震极重灾区的2291名青少年进行问卷调查,考察其创伤后应激障碍(PTSD)、抑郁、创伤后成长(PTG)和生活满意度等身心反应的现状及其共存形态。结果发现:(1)地震发生8.5年后4.75%的青少年有明显的PTSD症状,29.98%的青少年有明显的抑郁症状,其中女生、少数民族学生、高年级学生的症状水平更高;46.13%的青少年报告其出现了明显的PTG,其中女生和少数民族学生的PTG水平更高;青少年的生活满意度较低,其中初一年级显著高于其他年级,但性别和民族差异不显著;(2)青少年的PTSD与抑郁呈显著正相关、与生活满意度呈显著负相关、与PTG相关不显著,抑郁与PTG和生活满意度呈显著负相关,PTG与生活满意度呈显著正相关;(3)青少年的PTSD、抑郁、PTG和生活满意度之间具有共存的形态,具体表现为成长组(32.6%)、低症状组(39.4%)、症状-成长共存组(5.8%)、中等症状共病组(17.8%)和高度症状共病组(4.4%)等5种类别。     

Religion and mental health among Nepal earthquake survivors in temporary tent villages

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between mental health and the perceived importance of religion and the frequency of prayer among 200 children ages 10–18 years who lived in temporary camps for earthquake survivors in Nepal. The participants were examined using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 6–18 and were asked about the importance of religion in their lives. In contrast to expectation that high perceived importance of religion and prayer frequency have positive impacts on mental health after earthquakes, the results indicated significantly higher levels of withdrawal/depression. The group that prayed less frequently after the earthquakes had significantly higher scores for somatic symptoms, withdrawal/depression, anxiety/depression, social immaturity, internalising problems, and total CBCL scores. However, the clinical risk group (T score of 65 or higher in the CBCL total score), no significant difference according to the importance of religion showed and frequency of daily prayer.     

Natural disaster induced cognitive disruption: impacts on action slips

Previous research has indicated an increase in stress levels and cognitive intrusions after natural disasters. These previous studies have not, however, assessed the impact disaster induced cognitive disruption has on human performance. In the present report, we investigated the impact of the 7.1 magnitude 2010 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake on self-reported earthquake-induced cognitive disruption and its relationship to performance on the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART). Participants who self-reported greater cognitive disruption induced by the earthquake also had higher levels of errors of commission during SART (r = .80, p < .001). This was even the case when controlling for earthquake-induced anxiety, depression, participant sex, and self-reported sleep amount. Post-disaster assessments need to include the impact of the events directly on cognitive self-regulation and conscious thoughts, in addition to more clinical constructs, such as anxiety and depression.     

Effects of Three Sources of Social Support on Survivors' Posttraumatic Stress After the Wenchuan Earthquake

This study investigated the relationship between social support and symptoms of posttraumatic stress among adolescents who were exposed to the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. The results showed that three sources of social support—support from family, support from friends, and support from significant others—have significant main effects on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Buffering effects of social support were not supported. Gender and residency were also associated with PTSD, with female adolescents and adolescents from rural areas demonstrating higher levels of PTSD than their male counterparts and adolescents from urban and township areas.