@article{ref1,
title="The relationship between psychiatric morbidity and quality of life: interview study of Norwegian tsunami survivors 2 and 6 years post-disaster",
journal="BMC psychiatry",
year="2016",
author="Hussain, Ajmal and Nygaard, Egil and Siqveland, Johan and Heir, Trond",
volume="16",
number="",
pages="e173-e173",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The study investigated the impact of psychiatric disorders on Quality of Life (QOL) cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a group of Norwegian tourists severely exposed to the 2004 tsunami. <br><br>METHODS: Sixty-two adult Norwegian tsunami survivors were interviewed face to face 2 years post-tsunami (T1) and 58 were interviewed again by telephone 6 years post-tsunami (T2). The majority (81 %) reported direct exposure to the waves, and 14 participants (23 %) lost a close family member in the tsunami. Psychiatric morbidity was measured by structured clinical interviews and QOL was assessed with WHO's Quality of Life-Bref scale. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the independent effects of psychiatric disorders on QOL 2 and 6 years after the tsunami. <br><br>RESULTS: Psychiatric disorders, especially depression, but also PTSD and other anxiety disorders, were associated with reduced QOL. Psychiatric disorders were more strongly related to QOL at 6 years after the tsunami than at 2 years. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric disorders, and especially depression, is related to reduced QOL in a disaster exposed population. Post-disaster psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD and especially depression, should be addressed properly in the aftermath of disasters.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1471-244X",
doi="10.1186/s12888-016-0868-8",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-0868-8"
}