Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Trajectories Following the Fatal 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand Earthquake.

People respond differently to potentially traumatic events. To explore predictors of a chronic and delayed trajectory of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) after a natural disaster, we analyzed psychometric data collected from 412 residents of Christchurch, New Zealand after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck in February 2011. Participants from suburbs with different levels of socioeconomic status (SES) and earthquake impact completed a door-to-door survey 4-7 months after the earthquake (Time 1; N = 600) and again 10-11 months after the earthquake (Time 2; N = 412). The survey included the Acute Stress Disorder Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire's nine-item Depression subscale, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, along with single-item measures of variables including aftershock anxiety and family tension. Hobfoll's conservation of resources theory was used to guide data interpretation. High levels of depression, odds ratio (OR) = 1.24, and anxiety, OR = 1.24, at Time 1 significantly predicted membership in the chronic trajectory. Predictors of a delayed onset of symptoms included increased aftershock anxiety, OR = 1.29, and family tension, OR = 1.35, over time, as well as living in an area defined as being of low, OR = 5.36, or medium, OR = 11.39, SES. Results highlight risk factors for elevated PTSS and resources that individuals can use to offset threatened loss. These findings have implications for service providers, agencies, and the public.

Spanish Abstracts by Asociación Chilena de Estrés Traumático (ACET) Predictores de las trayectorias de los síntomas de estrés postraumático después de un terremoto fatal TRAYECTORIAS SEPT DESPUÉS DE UN TERREMOTO MORTAL Las personas responden de manera diferente a eventos potencialmente traumáticos. Para explorar los predictores de la trayectoria de los síntomas de estrés postraumático (SEPT) crónicos y retardados después de un desastre natural, analizamos los datos psicométricos recopilados de 412 residentes de Christchurch, Nueva Zelanda, después de un terremoto de magnitud 6.3 ocurrido en febrero de 2011. Participantes de suburbios con diferentes niveles de estatus socioeconómico (NSE) y el impacto del terremoto completaron una encuesta puerta a puerta 4-7 meses después del terremoto (Tiempo 1, N = 600) y nuevamente 10-11 meses después del terremoto (Tiempo 2, N = 412). La encuesta incluyó la Escala de Trastorno de Estrés Agudo, la escala de depresión de nueve ítems del Cuestionario de Salud del Paciente y la escala de Desorden de Ansiedad Generalizada-7, junto con medidas de un solo ítem de variables que incluyen ansiedad por réplica y la tensión familiar. La teoría de la conservación de los recursos de Hobfoll se utilizó para guiar la interpretación de los datos. Altos niveles de depresión, odds ratio OR = 1.24 y ansiedad, OR = 1.24, en el Tiempo 1 predijeron significativamente la pertenencia a la trayectoria crónica. Los predictores de un inicio retardado de los síntomas incluyó aumento de la ansiedad por replica, OR = 1.29, y tensión familiar, OR = 1.35, a lo largo del tiempo, además de vivir en un área definida como baja, OR = 5.36 o NSE medio, OR = 11.39. Los resultados destacan los factores de riesgo para SEPT elevados y recursos que los individuos pueden utilizar para compensar la amenaza de pérdida. Estos hallazgos tienen implicaciones para los proveedores de servicio, agencias, y el público.

Predictors of posttraumatic growth 10-11 months after a fatal earthquake.

OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a commonly observed phenomenon in the wake of a distressing event, capturing potentially beneficial effects for posttraumatic adaptation. However, it is not entirely clear what factors are essential for the development of PTG, especially after natural disasters. Most importantly, it is uncertain what type of relationship exists between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and PTG. As yet, there is also no consensus on whether PTG can best be seen as a process outcome or as a coping mechanism. The current study aimed to elucidate these uncertainties. METHOD: The study explored PTG in a community sample (N = 412) 10-11 months after a major earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. Nonsymptomatic predictors of PTG were assessed 4-7 months after the earthquake, and symptomatic predictors were assessed both 4-7 and 10-11 months after the earthquake, with PTG measured in the second assessment. RESULTS: Results showed that the unique relationship between PTSS and PTG was modeled best both linearly and curvilinearly, suggesting that PTSS over a certain level shift from a positive association with PTG to a negative one. PTG was predicted by being female, having less household income, PTSS symptoms modeled linearly and curvilinearly at Time 1, and PTSS modeled linearly at Time 2. CONCLUSION: Support was found for the coping model of PTG, suggesting the importance of fostering growth to manage posttraumatic distress. (PsycINFO Database Record

Impact of average household income and damage exposure on post-earthquake distress and functioning: A community study following the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

Post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety symptoms are common outcomes following earthquakes, and may persist for months and years. This study systematically examined the impact of neighbourhood damage exposure and average household income on psychological distress and functioning in 600 residents of Christchurch, New Zealand, 4-6 months after the fatal February, 2011 earthquake. Participants were from highly affected and relatively unaffected suburbs in low, medium and high average household income areas. The assessment battery included the Acute Stress Disorder Scale, the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), along with single item measures of substance use, earthquake damage and impact, and disruptions in daily life and relationship functioning. Controlling for age, gender and social isolation, participants from low income areas were more likely to meet diagnostic cut-offs for depression and anxiety, and have more severe anxiety symptoms. Higher probabilities of acute stress, depression and anxiety diagnoses were evident in affected versus unaffected areas, and those in affected areas had more severe acute stress, depression and anxiety symptoms. An interaction between income and earthquake effect was found for depression, with those from the low and medium income affected suburbs more depressed. Those from low income areas were more likely, post-earthquake, to start psychiatric medication and increase smoking. There was a uniform increase in alcohol use across participants. Those from the low income affected suburb had greater general and relationship disruption post-quake. Average household income and damage exposure made unique contributions to earthquake-related distress and dysfunction.