title: Psychological distress in families of victims of maritime piracy - the Italian experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This work has investigated the psychological status of family members of kidnapped seafarers, 5 months after their release.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to assess if relatives of victims of maritime piracy showed signs of psychological distress, to diagnose eventual pathologies and to measure their severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve family members (8 females and 4 males) of 4 kidnapped seafarers were examined. They were first interviewed by a semi-structured approach and then examined using the self-report questionnaire State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y), and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five months after the relatives had been released, 42% of the family members of kidnapped seafarers obtained pathological scores in the STAI-Y questionnaire, and 33% showed depression according to the HDRS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family members of kidnapped seafarers show significant psychopathological symptoms 5 months after relatives have been released. Symptoms may be severe enough to interfere with daily life in about one half of them. Kidnapping is a changing life experience and both victims and relatives require attention and support.
authors.forename: Antonio Rosario
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ziello
authors.forename: Rolando Degli
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Angioli
authors.forename: Angiola Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fasanaro
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Research, Telemedicine and Telepharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy; Research Department, International Radio Medical Centre (CIRM), Rome, Italy. FAmenta@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amenta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012767:Ships; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult