The relationship between psychiatric morbidity and quality of life: interview study of Norwegian tsunami survivors 2 and 6 years post-disaster

BMC Psychiatry

Research Article

Egil Nygaard¹  Ajmal Hussain²  Johan Siqveland³  Trond Heir⁴ 

[1] Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, P.O box 1094, Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway;Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway (RBUP), P.O. box 4623, Nydalen, 0405, Oslo, Norway;Division of Mental Health Services, Akershus University Hospital, 1478, Lørenskog, Norway;Groruddalen Community Mental Health Center, Outpatient psychiatric clinic, Division of Mental Health Services, Akershus University Hospital, P.O box 1000, 1478, Lørenskog, Norway;Division of Mental Health Services, Akershus University Hospital, 1478, Lørenskog, Norway;Institute of Clinical of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O box 1078, Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway;Institute of Clinical of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O box 1078, Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway;Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Oslo, P.O box 181, Nydalen, 0409, Oslo, Norway;

关键词: Depression;    Natural disaster;    Posttraumatic stress;    Quality of life;    Tsunami;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12888-016-0868-8

 received in 2015-05-03, accepted in 2016-05-16,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe study investigated the impact of psychiatric disorders on Quality of Life (QOL) cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a group of Norwegian tourists severely exposed to the 2004 tsunami.MethodsSixty-two adult Norwegian tsunami survivors were interviewed face to face 2 years post-tsunami (T1) and 58 were interviewed again by telephone 6 years post-tsunami (T2). The majority (81 %) reported direct exposure to the waves, and 14 participants (23 %) lost a close family member in the tsunami. Psychiatric morbidity was measured by structured clinical interviews and QOL was assessed with WHO’s Quality of Life-Bref scale. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the independent effects of psychiatric disorders on QOL 2 and 6 years after the tsunami.ResultsPsychiatric disorders, especially depression, but also PTSD and other anxiety disorders, were associated with reduced QOL. Psychiatric disorders were more strongly related to QOL at 6 years after the tsunami than at 2 years.ConclusionsPsychiatric disorders, and especially depression, is related to reduced QOL in a disaster exposed population. Post-disaster psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD and especially depression, should be addressed properly in the aftermath of disasters.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Hussain et al. 2016