[Post-traumatic stress disorder in schoolchildren after the 2011 earthquake in Lorca (Spain)]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children after the 2011 earthquake in Lorca (Spain).

Methods: By using a cross-sequential design, children aged from 8 to 12 years (495 students at 1 month and 374 at 1 year) were assessed for full and partial PTSD using the Post-traumatic Children's Symptoms Stress Disorder Scale.

Results: The percentage of children with PTSD was 55.4% (65.6% of girls and 46.9% of boys) at 1 month and 40.1% (44.5% girls and 35.9% children) at 1 year. One in two young girls (8-10 years) had PTSD 1 year after the earthquake.

Discussion: A differential effect was observed due to gender and age, in which younger children, especially girls, were particularly at risk, even 1 year after the earthquake.

Keywords: Children; Diferencias de sexo; Earthquakes; Menores; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Sex differences; Terremotos; Trastorno de estrés postraumático.