title: Psychological Distress and Health-related Quality of Life in Relocated and Nonrelocated Older Survivors after the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of the study were to examine psychological distress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in relocated and nonrelocated survivors aged 60 years and older, and to analyze predictors for psychological distress and HRQoL in older survivors 5 years after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with 112 relocated older survivors and 156 nonrelocated older survivors. Our study used a multistage sampling method. The measurements used in the study included self-reporting questionnaire-20, medical outcomes study 36-item short form health survey, and an instrument measuring demographic and disaster-related characteristics. Descriptive and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to determine factors that contributed to psychological distress and HRQoL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of psychological distress in relocated group (20.5%) was significantly higher compared to those in nonrelocated group (4.8%). Scores for HRQoL in relocated older survivors was significantly lower than those in nonrelocated older survivors. Relocation from preearthquake residence was the most significant predictor for psychological distress and HRQoL in the total sample. Other predictors were advanced age, lower educational level, the loss of family members during the earthquake, and the presence of chronic illnesses as well as the death of a spouse after the earthquake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategies can be designed in postdisaster recovery program, particularly for older survivors at high risk for psychological distress and poor HRQoL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Lang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. Electronic address: xiaolian_jiang@126.com.
authors.forename: Xiaolian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: aged; disaster victims; human migration; mental disorders; quality of life