PTSD Symptom Trajectories in Disaster Volunteers: The Role of Self-Efficacy, Social Acknowledgement, and Tasks Carried Out

Journal of Traumatic Stress
Sigridur Bjork ThormarMiranda Olff

Abstract

Millions of volunteers respond after disasters, with a 24% to 46% risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is unclear which symptom trajectories develop and how they differ between core (volunteering before the disaster) and noncore volunteers (joining after the disaster) and which factors predict trajectories. Symptoms of PTSD were assessed at 6-, 12-, and 18-months postearthquake in 449 volunteers in Indonesia. Demographics, previous mental health service use, self-efficacy, social acknowledgment, and type of tasks were assessed at 6 months. In both core and noncore volunteers, 2 PTSD symptom trajectories emerged: a resilient trajectory (moderate levels of symptoms with a slow decrease over time; 90.9%) and a chronic trajectory (higher levels of symptoms with an increase over time; 9.1%). In both trajectories, core volunteers had fewer symptoms than noncore volunteers. Core volunteers in the chronic trajectory were characterized by having sought prior mental help, reported lower levels of self-efficacy and social acknowledgment, and were more likely to have provided psychosocial support to beneficiaries (Cramér's V = .17 to .27, partial η(2) = .02 to .06). Aid organizations should identify and follow up chr...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 13, 2018·Multivariate Behavioral Research·Rens van de SchootNancy E van Loey
May 3, 2019·Prehospital and Disaster Medicine·Jyoti KhatriMeen B Poudyal Chhetri
Nov 4, 2020·Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·Xiaorong MaoAlice Yuen Loke
Aug 28, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Rita RonconeMassimo Casacchia

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