Premium
Adolescents' reactions after a wildfire disaster in Greece
Author(s) -
Papadatou Danai,
Giannopoulou Ioanna,
Bitsakou Paraskevi,
Bellali Thalia,
Talias Michael A.,
Tselepi Konstantina
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.21656
Subject(s) - psychology , geography , environmental health , medical emergency , medicine
Abstract This cross‐sectional study examined the factors associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in 1,468 adolescents, 6 months after a wildfire. The rate of probable PTSD was 29.4% and 20% for probable depression. Findings on predisaster, disaster‐related, and postdisaster factors revealed that disaster‐related factors—specifically objective and perceived threat to self and others—were associated with symptoms of PTSD but not depression. Predisaster life events, postdisaster losses, and escape‐oriented coping strategies were associated with higher levels of both PTSD and depression symptoms, while control‐oriented coping and perceived social support were differentially associated with symptoms of and depression. Findings have implications for the assessment and treatment of traumatized and depressed adolescents after a disaster.