Comparison of earthquake survivors exposed to primary and secondary traumatic stress after the disaster in terms of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, suicide risk, depression and anxiety symptoms.
Nermin Kara Narici, Sengul Kocamer Sahin, Feridun Bulbul, Abdurrahman Altindag, Bahadir Demir, Gulcin Elboga, Muhammet Sancaktar
{"title":"Comparison of earthquake survivors exposed to primary and secondary traumatic stress after the disaster in terms of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, suicide risk, depression and anxiety symptoms.","authors":"Nermin Kara Narici, Sengul Kocamer Sahin, Feridun Bulbul, Abdurrahman Altindag, Bahadir Demir, Gulcin Elboga, Muhammet Sancaktar","doi":"10.1177/00207640251350907","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Earthquakes can result in mental health issues for both earthquake survivors and rescue workers.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>To compare the prevalence and severity of PTSD, suicide risk, depression and anxiety between adults with primary earthquake trauma and rescue-aid personnel with secondary trauma exposure.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this analytic cross-sectional study, 133 survivors - hospitalised for crush injuries or residing in Nurdağı temporary shelters - and 127 rescue-aid personnel completed a sociodemographic form and three validated measures: the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale-5 (CAPS-5) for PTSD diagnosis and severity, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) for depression, anxiety and stress symptoms and the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) for suicide risk.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The sample comprised 260 adults (39.6% male; 60.4% female), classified as primary-trauma (<i>N</i>: 133) or secondary-trauma (<i>N</i>: 127). PTSD prevalence was significantly higher in the primary group (<i>N</i>: 98, 73.7%) than in the secondary group (<i>N</i>: 75, 59.1%; <i>p</i>: .012). PTSD rates were also higher in women (<i>N</i>: 117, 74.5%) and in participants with low monthly income (<i>N</i>: 55, 91.7%; <i>p</i>: .001). The primary group showed greater anxiety (6.95) and depression (9.58) scores and higher PTSD severity (<i>p</i> < .05). The secondary group scored higher on the SPS 'negative self' subscale (<i>p</i>: .001). Suicidal ideation was identified in 18.1% of all participants; younger age and being single/living alone were linked to higher suicide risk (<i>p</i> < .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings of this study demonstrate that both primary and secondary trauma are significant issues that should be addressed with equal seriousness. Providing necessary psychosocial support to both earthquake survivors and responders after traumatic events like earthquakes is crucial.</p>","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"207640251350907"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640251350907","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Earthquakes can result in mental health issues for both earthquake survivors and rescue workers.
Aims: To compare the prevalence and severity of PTSD, suicide risk, depression and anxiety between adults with primary earthquake trauma and rescue-aid personnel with secondary trauma exposure.
Methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study, 133 survivors - hospitalised for crush injuries or residing in Nurdağı temporary shelters - and 127 rescue-aid personnel completed a sociodemographic form and three validated measures: the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale-5 (CAPS-5) for PTSD diagnosis and severity, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) for depression, anxiety and stress symptoms and the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) for suicide risk.
Results: The sample comprised 260 adults (39.6% male; 60.4% female), classified as primary-trauma (N: 133) or secondary-trauma (N: 127). PTSD prevalence was significantly higher in the primary group (N: 98, 73.7%) than in the secondary group (N: 75, 59.1%; p: .012). PTSD rates were also higher in women (N: 117, 74.5%) and in participants with low monthly income (N: 55, 91.7%; p: .001). The primary group showed greater anxiety (6.95) and depression (9.58) scores and higher PTSD severity (p < .05). The secondary group scored higher on the SPS 'negative self' subscale (p: .001). Suicidal ideation was identified in 18.1% of all participants; younger age and being single/living alone were linked to higher suicide risk (p < .05).
Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that both primary and secondary trauma are significant issues that should be addressed with equal seriousness. Providing necessary psychosocial support to both earthquake survivors and responders after traumatic events like earthquakes is crucial.
期刊介绍：
The International Journal of Social Psychiatry, established in 1954, is a leading publication dedicated to the field of social psychiatry. It serves as a platform for the exchange of research findings and discussions on the influence of social, environmental, and cultural factors on mental health and well-being. The journal is particularly relevant to psychiatrists and multidisciplinary professionals globally who are interested in understanding the broader context of psychiatric disorders and their impact on individuals and communities.
Social psychiatry, as a discipline, focuses on the origins and outcomes of mental health issues within a social framework, recognizing the interplay between societal structures and individual mental health. The journal draws connections with related fields such as social anthropology, cultural psychiatry, and sociology, and is influenced by the latest developments in these areas.
The journal also places a special emphasis on fast-track publication for brief communications, ensuring that timely and significant research can be disseminated quickly. Additionally, it strives to reflect its international readership by publishing state-of-the-art reviews from various regions around the world, showcasing the diverse practices and perspectives within the psychiatric disciplines. This approach not only contributes to the scientific understanding of social psychiatry but also supports the global exchange of knowledge and best practices in mental health care.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
