Sixteen-year follow-up of childhood avalanche survivors

• Published in: European Journal of Psychotraumatology
• Main Authors: Þórðardóttir, Edda Björk, Valdimarsdottir, Unnur, Hansdóttir, Ingunn, Hauksdóttir, Arna, Dyregrov, Atle, Shipherd, Jillian C., Elklit, Ask, Resnick, Heidi, Guðmundsdóttir, Berglind
• Other Authors: Miðstöð í lýðheilsuvísindum (HÍ), The Centre of Public Health Sciences (UI), Sálfræðideild (HÍ), Faculty of Psychology (UI), Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HÍ), School of Health Sciences (UI), Háskóli Íslands, University of Iceland
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Informa UK Limited 2016
• Subjects: Children; Disaster; Avalanche; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Long term follow up; Börn; Náttúruhamfarir; Snjóflóð; Áfallastreita; Iceland
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/1929; https://doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v7.30995

Publisher's version (útgefin grein) Background Every year a substantial number of children are affected by natural disasters worldwide. However, data are scarce on long-term psychological impact of natural disasters on children's health. Identifying risk factors and outcomes associated with the long-term sequelae of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can provide a gateway to recovery as well as enhancement of preventive measures. Objective Among childhood avalanche survivors, we aimed to investigate risk factors for PTSD symptoms and the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and PTSD symptoms in adulthood. Methods Childhood survivors (aged 2–19 at the time of exposure) of two avalanches were identified through nationwide registers 16 years later. The Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale was used to assess current PTSD symptoms. One-way ANOVA was used to explore PTSD symptoms by background and trauma-specific factors, as well as associations with current SES. Predictors of PTSD symptoms were examined by multivariable regression analysis. Results Response rate was 66% (108/163). Results from univariate ANOVA analysis revealed that female sex was associated with PTSD symptoms (F=5.96, p<0.05). When adjusted for age and sex, PTSD symptoms were associated with lower education (F=7.62, p<0.001), poor financial status (F=12.21, p<0.001), and unemployment and/or disability (F=3.04, p<0.05). In a multivariable regression model, when adjusting for age and sex, lack of social support (t=4.22, p<0.001) and traumatic reactions of caregivers (t=2.49, p<0.05) in the aftermath of the disaster independently predicted PTSD 16 years post-trauma. Conclusions Lingering PTSD symptoms after childhood exposure to a disaster may negatively influence socioeconomic development in adulthood. Strengthening children's support systems post-disaster may prevent the long-term sequelae of symptoms. This study was funded by the University of Iceland Research Fund, the Icelandic Research Fund for Graduate Students ...