Citation

Lee SH, Kim EJ, Noh JW, Chae JH. J. Korean Med. Sci. 2018; 33(11): e90.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Korean Academy of Medical Science)

DOI

10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e90

PMID

29495137

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Sewol ferry disaster caused national shock and grief in Korea. The present study examined the prevalence and associated factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among the surviving students 20 months after that disaster.

METHODS: This study was conducted using a cross-sectional design and a sample of 57 students (29 boys and 28 girls) who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. Data were collected using a questionnaire, including instruments that assessed psychological status. A generalized linear model using a log link and Poisson distribution was performed to identify factors associated with PTSD symptoms.

RESULTS: The results showed that 26.3% of participants were classified in the clinical group by the Child Report of Post-traumatic Symptoms score. Based on a generalized linear model, Poisson distribution, and log link analyses, PTSD symptoms were positively correlated with the number of exposed traumatic events, peers and social support, peri-traumatic dissociation and post-traumatic negative beliefs, and emotional difficulties. On the other hand, PTSD symptoms were negatively correlated with psychological well-being, family cohesion, post-traumatic social support, receiving care at a psychiatry clinic, and female gender.

CONCLUSION: This study uncovered risk and protective factors of PTSD in disaster-exposed adolescents. The implications of these findings are considered in relation to determining assessment and interventional strategies aimed at helping survivors following similar traumatic experiences.

Language: en

Keywords

Associated Factors; Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; Sewol Ferry Disaster; Surviving Students