The Moderating Effect of Perceived Psychological Support on the Relationship between Perceived Disaster Damage, Posttraumatic Stress, and Subjective Health Status among Disaster Victims

Abstract

Background: This study examined the relationship between perceived disaster damage, posttraumatic stress, and subjective health status after disasters and the moderating effect of perceived psychological support among disaster victims.Methods: Data from 1,821 participants in the fourth ‘Follow-up Survey on Change of Disaster Victims’ conducted by the National Disaster Management Research Institute in 2019 were analyzed.Results: The results showed that the perceived degree of disaster damage significantly impacted subjective health status after disasters; this effect was fully mediated by posttraumatic stress. Furthermore, perceptions of psychological support were found to moderate the mediation effect of posttraumatic stress.Conclusions: Based on these findings, a discussion was suggested regarding future improvements in disaster-supporting policies.