TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2009//
TI  - Longitudinal changes in recalled perceived life threat after a natural disaster
JO  - British journal of psychiatry
A1  - Heir, Trond
A1  - Piatigorsky, Auran
A1  - Weisaeth, L.
SP  - 510
EP  - 514
VL  - 194
IS  - 6
N2  - BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis often depends on a retrospective, self-report of exposure to a life-threatening event. AIMS: To examine the stability of recalled perceived life threat in a community sample exposed to a distinct stressful event. METHOD: Five hundred and thirty-two Norwegian citizens who experienced the 2004 South-East Asia tsunami completed a self-report questionnaire 6 and 24 months post-disaster. The questionnaire measured perceived life-threat intensity, exposure, immediate stress response, psychopathology, personality dimensions, self-efficacy and social support. RESULTS: Recalled threat intensity increased from 6 to 24 months (P<0.001). Recall amplification was associated with lack of PTSD symptom improvement (P<0.05), but not with degree of exposure, immediate stress response, mood or stress symptoms, personality, self-efficacy or social support. CONCLUSIONS: Recall amplification of perceived life threat from a single stressful event occurs in the general population, it may hinder PTSD symptom improvement and it questions the diagnostic validity of PTSD.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0007-1250
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.108.056580
ID  - ref1
ER  -