Disaster survivors in their third decade: Trajectories of initial stress responses and long-term course of mental health
✍ Scribed by Katrine Høyer Holgersen; Christian A. Klöckner; Hans Jakob Boe; Lars Weisæth; Are Holen
- Publisher
- Springer
- Year
- 2011
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 207 KB
- Volume
- 24
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0894-9867
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Abstract
This study analyzed trajectories of initial stress and long‐term mental health after the 1980 North Sea oil rig disaster. A growth‐mixture model of the survivors' stress manifestations in the first 8 weeks (Posttraumatic Stress Scale, [PTSS‐10]) and general mental health in 1980, 1981, 1985, and 2007 (General Health Questionnaire, [GHQ‐20]) was estimated. Survivors' GHQ‐scores in 1985 and 2007 were contrasted to those of a comparison group. Four trajectories were identified among survivors. The resilient (n = 43) displayed initially moderate stress that rapidly declined. The recovery (n = 10), chronic (n = 8), and relapse (n = 9) showed initially stable high stress scores, but the long‐term mental health differed. Early screening may identify those at long‐term risk.