TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - The association between post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and the quality of life among Wenchuan earthquake survivors: the role of social support as a moderator
JO  - Quality of life research
A1  - Zhao, Changyi
A1  - Wu, Zhibin
A1  - Xu, Jiuping
SP  - 733
EP  - 743
VL  - 22
IS  - 4
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of the three types of social support as possible moderating factors between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its relationship to two domains of the quality of life (QOL). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was done in a local area near the epicenter of the severe earthquake in Wenchuan. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), the standard Chinese 12-item Short Form (SF-12v2), and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were used to interview a total of 2,080 earthquake survivors in the one-year follow-up period. Multiple regressions were performed to evaluate the moderating role of social support on the relationship between PTSD and QOL. RESULTS: Among survivors one-year after the Wenchuan earthquake, being a woman (p < 0.01), having a lower level of education (p < 0.01), having a lower level of income (p < 0.01), having a worse housing status (p < 0.05) and having a higher level of exposure (p < 0.05) were risk factors for a poorer QOL (∆R (2) = 0.063). PTSD symptoms negatively influenced the QOL (∆R (2) = 0.145), while social support positively influenced the QOL (∆R (2) = 0.016). However, the interaction between social support and PTSD weakened the negative effect of PTSD on the QOL (∆R (2) = 0.012). Subjective support and support availability moderated the association between PTSD and the QOL (∆R (2) = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Subjective support and support availability are more useful strategies to improve the QOL of the earthquake survivors with PTSD symptoms.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0962-9343
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11136-012-0197-4
ID  - ref1
ER  -