A Survey on Disaster Experience of Residents in Samcheok, Gangwon-do: Focusing on Direct or Indirect Trauma

This study was conducted to provide basic data for effective interventions in PTSD, by understanding Samcheok-si residents’direct and indirect trauma caused by their natural disaster experience. It administered questionnaires to 241 residents in Samcheok-si, and the results are as follows: First, the ratio of residents who have experienced disasters accounted for 72.2% of all residents in Samcheok-si, and they experienced indirect disasters more frequently than direct disasters. Second, they have most frequently experienced ‘forest fire’. Third, all residents who have directly and indirectly experienced disasters have rarely received support for damage caused by them. Fourth, the PTSD levels of the residents who have directly/indirectly experienced disasters were entirely higher. In particular, PTSD levels were higher in one group which have repeatedly experienced disasters and another group which has long experienced psychological difficulties caused. On the basis of the findings as basic data, it is necessary to consider overall interventions in the mental health of residents in Samcheok-si.