Depression and PTSD symptoms among bereaved adolescents 6(1/2) years after the 1988 Spitak earthquake.
OBJECTIVE
To compare depression and PTSD symptoms of parentally bereaved adolescents and a comparison group after a catastrophic natural disaster.


METHODS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Goenjian
Armen K
AK
UCLA/Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA. agoenjia@aol.com
Walling
David
D
Steinberg
Alan M
AM
Roussos
Alexandra
A
Goenjian
Haig A
HA
Pynoos
Robert S
RS
D000293:Adolescent; D001136:Armenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D054540:Child, Orphaned / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004190:Disasters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055866:Earthquakes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology