Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In 1995, Japan's Hanshin-Awaji area was severely damaged by a major earthquake. Lifestyle factors, sometimes associated with physical health and mortality, have also been known to be associated with mental health status. This report examines the relationship between the subsequent change in lifestyle and the psychological stress induced by the earth quake.

METHOD:

Abstract

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

A growing body of research has shown that there are important links between certain psychiatric disorders and health symptom reporting. Two disorders in particular (posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression) have been the most widely implicated to date, and this association has sometimes been used to explain the occurrence of ill-defined medical problems and increased somatic symptoms in certain groups, most recently Gulf War veterans.

METHODS:

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine risk and protective processes for posttraumatic stress reactions and negative sequelae following the Northridge earthquake (EQ) among youths diagnosed for pre-EQ psychopathology.

METHOD:

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, general anxiety, and social impairment were evaluated using telephone interviews among 66 children participating in a family-genetic study of childhood-onset depression at the time of the EQ.

RESULTS: