Posttraumatic Symptoms and Change of Complicated Grief among Bereaved Families of the Sewol Ferry Disaster: One Year Follow-up Study

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine whether severity and severity change of coexisting psychiatric symptoms might affect change of complicated grief (CG) regarding the Sewol ferry disaster. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional survey were obtained 18 months (Time 1) and 30 months (Time 2) after the disaster. We ascertained sociodemographic variables and variables obtained from self-reporting questionnaires (i.e., CG, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], insomnia, embitterment, and suicidal risk) among 56 bereaved family members. RESULTS: Severity of other psychiatric symptoms at Time 1 had no effect on change of CG at Time 2. However, changes in severity of PTSD over a year affected change of CG. CONCLUSION: It is important to evaluate changes in severity of PTSD and its treatment during management of CG, especially when it involves bereaved families experiencing a traumatic accident.

Current Trends and Future Tasks of Cohort Study for Disaster Victims / 신경정신의학

An analysis of domestic and foreign cohort studies of disaster victims can suggest directions for domestic cohort studies of disaster. Research papers on disaster cohorts were found with search engines such as PubMed and RISS. The key words used were disaster, trauma, cohort, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Foreign research papers on human-made disaster (n=16), technological disaster (n=11), natural disaster (n=12), and domestic research papers on disaster (n=6) were reviewed. Analysis revealed that domestic cohort research on disaster victims is lacking compared to foreign countries. This results in the current limitations in planning for active intervention and support for disaster victims. To establish appropriate crisis intervention and management plans for disaster situations, a cohort study of disaster victims should be actively implemented through epidemiologic survey and assessment of risk factors on mental health, PTSD, depression, anxiety and other deleterious outcomes.