A multiple-indicator multiple-cause model for posttraumatic stress reactions: personality, coping, and maladjustment.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to develop a multiple-indicator multiple-cause model (MIMIC) to describe the relationship among posttraumatic stress (PTSD) responses, general health problems, death anxiety, personality factors, and coping strategies among community residents exposed to the technological disasters of aircraft and train crashes.


METHODS
One hundred forty-eight community residents, after exposure to the aircraft or train crash, were assessed using the Impact of Event Scale, the General Health Questionnaire-28, the Death Anxiety Scale, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the Ways of Coping Checklist. The control group (n = 90) comprised members of the general public, who had not been exposed to the disasters, from another city.


RESULTS
The model showed significant associations between the impact of the disaster and general health problems, which varied depending on where community residents lived in relation to the disaster site, whether they were present when the disaster occurred, and the type of disaster. The model also suggested that death anxiety was associated with type of disaster and neuroticism. The model supported the interactive model in that personality factors interacted with coping strategies in maintaining or generating PTSD and general health problems.


CONCLUSIONS
After exposure to technological disasters, community residents could develop PTSD and general health problems; however, increased death anxiety was a separate psychological reaction. The interaction between certain personality traits and coping strategies was one reason for PTSD and general health problems.
Chung
Man Cheung
MC
University of Plymouth, School of Psychology, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK. m.chung@plymouth.ac.uk
Dennis
Ian
I
Easthope
Yvette
Y
Werrett
Julie
J
Farmer
Steven
S
D000059:Accidents / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000060:Accidents, Aviation / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001293:Attitude to Death; D015897:Comorbidity; D004190:Disasters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010551:Personality / Q000145:classification*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011890:Railroads; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology