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Peritraumatic Distress, Watching Television, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms among Rescue Workers after the Great East Japan Earthquake

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Listed:
  • Daisuke Nishi
  • Yuichi Koido
  • Naoki Nakaya
  • Toshimasa Sone
  • Hiroko Noguchi
  • Kei Hamazaki
  • Tomohito Hamazaki
  • Yutaka Matsuoka

Abstract

Background: The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2001 left around 20,000 dead or missing. Previous studies showed that rescue workers, as well as survivors, of disasters are at high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined the predictive usefulness of the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) among rescue workers of Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) deployed during the acute disaster phase of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this prospective observational study, the DMAT members recruited were assessed 1 month after the earthquake on the PDI and 4 months after the earthquake on the Impact of Event Scale-Revised to determine PTSD symptoms. The predictive value of the PDI at initial assessment for PTSD symptoms at the follow-up assessment was examined by univariate and multiple linear regression analysis. Of the 254 rescue workers who participated in the initial assessment, 173 completed the follow-up assessment. Univariate regression analysis revealed that PDI total score and most individual item scores predicted PTSD symptoms. In particular, high predictive values were seen for peritraumatic emotional distress such as losing control of emotions and being ashamed of emotional reactions. In multiple linear regression analysis, PDI total score was an independent predictor for PTSD symptoms after adjusting for covariates. As for covariates specifically, watching earthquake television news reports for more than 4 hours per day predicted PTSD symptoms. Conclusions/Significance: The PDI predicted PTSD symptoms in rescue workers after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Peritraumatic emotional distress appears to be an important factor to screen for individuals at risk for developing PTSD among medical rescue workers. In addition, watching television for extended period of time might require attention at a time of crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Daisuke Nishi & Yuichi Koido & Naoki Nakaya & Toshimasa Sone & Hiroko Noguchi & Kei Hamazaki & Tomohito Hamazaki & Yutaka Matsuoka, 2012. "Peritraumatic Distress, Watching Television, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms among Rescue Workers after the Great East Japan Earthquake," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(4), pages 1-6, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0035248
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035248
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    Cited by:

    1. Keita Iyama & Takeyasu Kakamu & Kazunori Yamashita & Yoshinobu Sato & Jiro Shimada & Osamu Tasaki & Arifumi Hasegawa, 2021. "Increasing Disaster Medical Assistance Teams’ Intent to Engage with Specific Hazards," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-10, November.
    2. Takuya Tsujiuchi & Maya Yamaguchi & Kazutaka Masuda & Marisa Tsuchida & Tadashi Inomata & Hiroaki Kumano & Yasushi Kikuchi & Eugene F Augusterfer & Richard F Mollica, 2016. "High Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Relation to Social Factors in Affected Population One Year after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-14, March.

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