Adolescents' reactions after a wildfire disaster in Greece.
This cross-sectional study examined the factors associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in 1,468 adolescents, 6 months after a wildfire. The rate of probable PTSD was 29.4% and 20% for probable depression. Findings on predisaster, disaster-related, and postdisaster factors revealed that disaster-related factors-specifically objective and perceived threat to self and others-were associated with symptoms of PTSD but not depression. Predisaster life events, postdisaster losses, and escape-oriented coping strategies were associated with higher levels of both PTSD and depression symptoms, while control-oriented coping and perceived social support were differentially associated with symptoms of and depression. Findings have implications for the assessment and treatment of traumatized and depressed adolescents after a disaster.
Faculty of Nursing, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. dpap@nurs.uoa.gr
Danai
D
Papadatou
Ioanna
I
Giannopoulou
Paraskevi
P
Bitsakou
Thalia
T
Bellali
Michael A
MA
Talias
Konstantina
K
Tselepi
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires