title: Psychological distress in survivors of residential fires.
abstract: This paper presents preliminary findings from an ongoing study of survivors of residential fires. The purpose of this study was to examine psychological distress and extent of loss in order to provide a psychological profile of survivors overtime. The sample (N = 69) was drawn consecutively from the database of residential fires available through the Philadelphia Fire Department. Levels of psychological distress were measured as well as reports of symptoms consistent with the diagnostic criteria for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. The major findings indicate that residential fires caused significant and sustained distress. An agenda for further research and for services to survivors of these fires is presented.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia 19104-6096.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keane
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pickett
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jepson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McCorkle
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Lowery
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001601:Bereavement; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology