Adolescent vulnerability to PTSD and effects of community-based intervention: Longitudinal study among adolescent survivors of the Ehime Maru sea accident.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to examine the psychological impact on adolescent survivors of a maritime disaster that resulted in the deaths of nine people, including four high school students, and the effects of psychiatric intervention for the survivors.


METHODS
Long-term multidimensional intervention consisting of psychoeducation, hospital treatment, family support and day care, was provided for nine adolescent survivors. To evaluate these effects, the survivors were also assessed using self-rating scales (Impact of Event Scale, General Health Questionnaire and Self-rating Depression Scale) and psychiatric structured interviews (Clinician-Administered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] Scale) at 2, 8, 14, 26, and 38 months after the accident.


RESULTS
Prevalence of PTSD among adolescent survivors was much higher than in adult survivors at the 2-month examination (78% vs 12%, respectively). Although the observed prevalence remained high until the 14-month examination, remarkable improvement occurred thereafter and none was diagnosed with PTSD at the 38-month examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents may have a specific vulnerability to PTSD and community-based intervention is effective for adolescents with serious symptoms of PTSD.
Maeda
Masaharu
M
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kurume University, School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi,Kurume 830-0011, Japan. maeda_masaharu@kurume-u.ac.jp
Kato
Hiroshi
H
Maruoka
Takayuki
T
D000059:Accidents / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome