BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze the mental health status of Danwon students who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. The study also evaluated the mental health effects of the disaster on the survivors.
METHODS: Questionnaires were used to collect data from selected respondents. It was found that high family function and adolescent's strengths influence the quality of life of the survivors significantly.
RESULTS: Higher scores on the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (p < 0.001) or the strengths domain of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (p = 0.027) were significantly associated with higher KIDSCREEN-27 scores. LIMITATION: It is difficult to explain the causal relationship and generalize due to cross-sectionals study with small sample size.
CONCLUSIONS: Family function and adolescent's strengths had the significant relationship with higher quality of life of survivors. This finding offers important insight into understanding the effects of such accident, and suggest the importance the family and mental health to survivors of disasters.