Citation

Lima BR, Pai S, Santacruz H, Lozano J, Luna J. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 1987; 76(5): 561-567.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins, University Baltimore, Maryland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3434328

Abstract

Seven months following the volcanic eruption that destroyed the small town of Armero, 200 victims were screened for emotional problems with the Self-Reporting Questionnaire, a simple and reliable instrument. Fifty-five percent of the victims were found to be emotionally distressed. Variables associated with the presence of emotional distress included living alone, having lost previous job, feeling not being helped, not knowing date for leaving temporary shelter, being dissatisfied with living arrangements, complaining of non-specific physical symptoms or epigastric pain, and presenting several physical problems. The high prevalence of emotional distress supports the need to deliver mental care to disaster victims in developing countries through the primary level of care. Our findings provide guidelines for early detection of individuals at risk for developing emotional problems.

Language: en