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Prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms among child survivors 1 year following the Wenchuan earthquake in China

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence rates of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression and to explore potential risk factors among child and adolescent survivors 1 year following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. 3052 participants were administered the Child PTSD Symptom Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children, and the earthquake experience scale. Results indicated that the prevalence rates of probable PTSD and depression were 8.6 and 42.5 %, respectively. Demographic variables (i.e., age and gender) and most aspects of earthquake experiences (i.e., direct exposure, close ones’ exposure, fear for the safety of close ones, prior exposure to trauma, living location, and house damage, with the exception of type of housing) made unique contributions to PTSD and depressive symptoms. In addition, the moderating effect of gender on the relationships between age and PTSD and depressive symptoms was significant. In conclusion, depression was a more common psychological response than was PTSD among child survivors 1 year following the Wenchuan earthquake. Age and gender were risk factors for both PTSD and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, older female survivors exhibit more severe PTSD and depressive symptoms. Additionally, several aspects of earthquake experiences (i.e., direct exposure, close ones’ exposure, fear for the safety of close ones, prior exposure to trauma, living location, and house damage) was also important for the development and maintenance of PTSD and depressive symptoms.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by ‘Key Projects of Philosophy and Social Sciences Research, Ministry of Education, China (Grant number: 08JZD0026).’ We thank Dai Yan, Chen Qiuyan, An Yuanyuan, Zeng Panpan and Liu Chunhui for their help with data collection. We are also grateful to the students and teachers of the participating schools for their time and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China

    Liu-hua Ying & Chong-de Lin

  2. School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

    Xin-chun Wu

  3. Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA

    Chuansheng Chen

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  1. Liu-hua Ying
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  2. Xin-chun Wu
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  3. Chong-de Lin
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Correspondence to Chong-de Lin.

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Ying, Lh., Wu, Xc., Lin, Cd. et al. Prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms among child survivors 1 year following the Wenchuan earthquake in China. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 22, 567–575 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-013-0400-3

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