Abstract

This article examined posttraumatic stress symptoms in a sample of disaster victims following the Bijlmermeer plane crash of October, 1992, in the Netherlands. Findings indicated that six months after the disaster 26% of the respondents were suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The victims' PTSD was strongly associated with material damage and loss. The discussion of the results focuses on the distinction between normal and pathological stress reactions and the implications for disaster after-care.

Abstract

Comment on

• Short- and long-term association between uric acid and a natural disaster. [Psychosom Med. 1997]
• Posttraumatic stress symptoms, intrusive thoughts, loss, and immune function after Hurricane Andrew. [Psychosom Med. 1997]
• Shaking up immunity: psychological and immunologic changes after a natural disaster. [Psychosom Med. 1997]

Abstract