Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety Among Junior High School Students in Worst-Hit Areas 3 Years After the Wenchuan Earthquake in China

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety among junior high school students in worst-hit areas 3 years after the Wenchuan earthquake. Analyses were carried out on 373 of the 377 students enrolled. In addition to obtaining demographic characteristics, the Impact of Event Scale–Revised, the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and an Earthquake exposure screening scale were administered. It was found that 29.6%, 44.8%, and 37.6% of participants reported clinical symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, respectively. PTSD, depression, and anxiety were highly comorbid. Having witnessed someone being killed, family members being killed, close friends seriously injured or being killed, and felt scared remained as significant predictors for PTSD. Having witnessed someone seriously injured and felt scared remained as significant predictors for depression. Having witnessed someone seriously injured, witnessed someone being killed, and felt scared remained as significant predictors for anxiety.