A Meta-Analysis of Risk Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults and Children after Earthquakes

Bihan Tang, Qiangyu Deng, Deborah Glik, Junqiang Dong and Lulu Zhang
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Bihan Tang: Department of Health Service, College of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Qiangyu Deng: Department of Health Service, College of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Deborah Glik: Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
Junqiang Dong: Department of Health Service, College of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Lulu Zhang: Department of Health Service, College of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: PTSD is considered the most common negative psychological reactions among survivors following an earthquake. The present study sought to find out the determinants of PTSD in earthquake survivors using a systematic meta-analysis. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycInfo) were used to search for observational studies about PTSD following earthquakes. The literature search, study selection, and data extraction were conducted independently by two authors. 52 articles were included in the study. Summary estimates, subgroup analysis, and publication bias tests were performed on the data. The prevalence of PTSD after earthquakes ranged from 4.10% to 67.07% in adults and from 2.50% to 60.00% in children. For adults, the significant predictors were being female, low education level or socio-economic status, prior trauma; being trapped, experiencing fear, injury, or bereavement during the disaster. For children, the significant predictors were being older age, high education level; being trapped, experiencing fear, injury, or bereavement, witnessing injury/death during the earthquakes. Our study provides implications for the understanding of risk factors for PTSD among earthquake survivors. Post-disaster mental health recovery programs that include early identification, on-going monitoring, and sustained psychosocial support are needed for earthquake survivors.

Keywords: PTSD; risk factors; children; adults; earthquakes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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