Objective: To explore the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and perceived social support (PSS) ability among middle school students in earthquake-stricken areas after the Wenchuan earthquake accident.
Methods: A total of 1966 students from three secondary schools of Wenchuan earthquake-stricken areas were evaluated by PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS).
Results: The overall incidence rate of PTSD was 78.3%, with severe PTSD as 24.38%. Significant differences on the incidence rates of PTSD were found among the students who were in different PSS levels (P < 0.05) and significant negative correlation existed between the levels of severity on PTSD and PSS (gamma = -0.226, P < 0.05). Significant differences on PTSD incidence rates were found among those students who were from different families or out-family PSS levels (P = 0.009, P < 0.05). Significant negative correlation existed between the severity of PTSD and family or out-family PSS level (gamma = -0.176, P < 0.05, gamma = -0.214, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Relationships between the incidence rate, severity of PTSD and PSS levels existed among the middle school students in Wenchuan earthquake-stricken areas, with higher PSS, lower incidence rate and lighter severity of PTSD. Psychological intervention for earthquake-stricken students should be carried out.