The Prevalence of PTSD Symptoms and Depressive Symptoms and Related Predictors in Children and Adolescents 3 Years After the Ya'an Earthquake

Yuchang Jin; Huaqiang Deng; Junxiu An; Jiuping Xu

doi:10.1007/s10578-018-0840-6

The Prevalence of PTSD Symptoms and Depressive Symptoms and Related Predictors in Children and Adolescents 3 Years After the Ya'an Earthquake

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2019 Apr;50(2):300-307. doi: 10.1007/s10578-018-0840-6.

Authors

Yuchang Jin¹, Huaqiang Deng², Junxiu An³, Jiuping Xu⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Teacher Education and Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610068, China.
² Management School, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
³ Chengdu University of Information Techology, Chengdu, 610225, China.
⁴ Institute of Emergency Management and Reconstruction in Post-disaster, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China. xujiuping@scu.edu.cn.

PMID: 30302576
DOI: 10.1007/s10578-018-0840-6

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and depressive symptoms in teenage survivors three years after the Ya'an earthquake to assess the differences between left-behind (LBC) and non-left-behind (non-LBC) children, and to explore predictors for PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms. The participants were assessed using children's revised impact of event scale (CRIES) and short mood and feelings questionnaire (SMFQ), after which t tests, Chi square tests, and a multivariate logistic regression were conducted to examine the differences in the LBC and identify the associated predictors. It was found that the PTSD and depressive symptom prevalences were 13.10% and 20.75%, with the LBC having a significantly higher prevalence than the non-LBC. The PTSD and depression symptoms tended to be highly comorbid (r = .52, p < .001). Being female, being aged less than 15, having siblings, being an LBC, and having higher exposure were found to be associated with PTSD and depressive symptoms.

Keywords: Children and adolescents; Depressive symptoms; Earthquake; Left-behind children; Posttraumatic stress disorder.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
China / epidemiology
Comorbidity
Depression* / diagnosis
Depression* / epidemiology
Depression* / etiology
Depression* / psychology
Earthquakes*
Female
Humans
Male
Natural Disasters*
Prevalence
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / diagnosis
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / epidemiology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / etiology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Survivors / psychology*