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A new psychological intervention: “512 Psychological Intervention Model” used for military rescuers in Wenchuan Earthquake in China

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Abstract

Objective

We sought to compare the efficacy of the “512 Psychological Intervention Model” (that is, “512 PIM”, a new psychological intervention) with debriefing on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression of Chinese military rescuers in relation to a control group that had no intervention.

Method

We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 2,368 military rescuers 1 month after this event and then at follow-up 1, 2 and 4 months later to evaluate changes in symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression based on DSM-IV criteria, respectively.

Results

Baseline analysis suggested no significant differences between the study groups. Severity of PTSD, anxiety and depression decreased over time in all three groups, with significant differences between the groups in symptoms of PTSD (P < 0.01). Compared with the debriefing and control group, significant lower scores of PTSD and positive efficacy in improving symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal were found in the “512 PIM” group.

Conclusion

“512 PIM” was an effective psychological intervention for military rescuers in reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression after a crisis.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all the soldiers who participated in this study so willingly, all the clinical psychologists and those who helped with the intervention and data management, and who also provided organization support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 West Changle Road, Xi’an, 710032, People’s Republic of China

    Shengjun Wu, Xia Zhu, Xufeng Liu, Yebing Yang, Hai Yang & Danmin Miao

  2. Department of Nursing Management, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China

    Yinling Zhang

  3. XiJing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China

    Jie Liang

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  1. Shengjun Wu
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  2. Xia Zhu
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  3. Yinling Zhang
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  4. Jie Liang
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  5. Xufeng Liu
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  6. Yebing Yang
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  7. Hai Yang
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  8. Danmin Miao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Danmin Miao.

Additional information

S. Wu, X. Zhu, Y. Zhang and J. Liang are the co-first authors.

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Wu, S., Zhu, X., Zhang, Y. et al. A new psychological intervention: “512 Psychological Intervention Model” used for military rescuers in Wenchuan Earthquake in China. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 47, 1111–1119 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-011-0416-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-011-0416-2

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