The association between post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and the quality of life among Wenchuan earthquake survivors: the role of social support as a moderator.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the role of the three types of social support as possible moderating factors between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its relationship to two domains of the quality of life (QOL).


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was done in a local area near the epicenter of the severe earthquake in Wenchuan. The Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), the standard Chinese 12-item Short Form (SF-12v2), and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were used to interview a total of 2,080 earthquake survivors in the one-year follow-up period. Multiple regressions were performed to evaluate the moderating role of social support on the relationship between PTSD and QOL.


RESULTS
Among survivors one-year after the Wenchuan earthquake, being a woman (p < 0.01), having a lower level of education (p < 0.01), having a lower level of income (p < 0.01), having a worse housing status (p < 0.05) and having a higher level of exposure (p < 0.05) were risk factors for a poorer QOL (∆R (2) = 0.063). PTSD symptoms negatively influenced the QOL (∆R (2) = 0.145), while social support positively influenced the QOL (∆R (2) = 0.016). However, the interaction between social support and PTSD weakened the negative effect of PTSD on the QOL (∆R (2) = 0.012). Subjective support and support availability moderated the association between PTSD and the QOL (∆R (2) = 0.010).


CONCLUSIONS
Subjective support and support availability are more useful strategies to improve the QOL of the earthquake survivors with PTSD symptoms.
Uncertainty Decision-making Laboratory, Sichuan University, No. 24, South, Section 1 Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
Changyi
C
Zhao
Zhibin
Z
Wu
Jiuping
J
Xu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult