@article{ref1,
title="Depression and PTSD symptoms among bereaved adolescents 6(1/2) years after the 1988 spitak earthquake",
journal="Journal of affective disorders",
year="2009",
author="Goenjian, Armen K. and Walling, David and Steinberg, Alan M. and Roussos, Alexandra and Goenjian, Haig A. and Pynoos, Robert S.",
volume="112",
number="1-3",
pages="81-84",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To compare depression and PTSD symptoms of parentally bereaved adolescents and a comparison group after a catastrophic natural disaster. METHOD: Six and a half years after the Spitak earthquake, 48 parentally bereaved adolescents and a comparison group of 44 subjects with no parental loss were evaluated using the Depression Self - Rating Scale (DSRS) and Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (CPTSD-RI). RESULTS: Orphans scored significantly higher on depression than those who lost a father (Mean DSRS scores: 20.2+/-3.3 vs. 16.6+/-5.2; p<0.001), who in turn scored significantly higher than those who lost a mother (Mean DSRS scores: 16.6+/-5.2 vs. 12.7+/-4.1; p<0.002). Depression scores for orphans fell above the cut-off for clinical depression, while those who lost a father scored slightly below. PTSD scores within each group fell in the moderate range of severity, with girls scoring higher than boys (Mean CPTSD-RI scores: 35.9+/-11.3 vs. 29.3+/-10.1; p<0.04). LIMITATION: As self-report instruments were used, responses may have been over- or under- reported. Participants belonged to the same ethnic group and therefore the results may not be generalizable to other populations. CONCLUSION: Loss of both parents and, to a lesser degree, loss of a father is a significant risk factor for depression, but not for PTSD. This study extends prior findings documenting post-disaster chronicity of depression and PTSD among bereaved adolescents, and underscores the need for post-disaster mental health and social programs, especially for those who suffer the loss of both parents.  <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-0327",
doi="10.1016/j.jad.2008.04.006",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.04.006"
}