F. CATAPANO, F. LEPRE, R. MALAFRONTE, P. COZZOLINO, R. ARNONE, E. LORENZO, G. TARTAGLIA, F. STARACE, L. MAGLIANO, M. MAJ - Vol. 6, Dicembre 2000, num.4
Testo Immagini Bibliografia Summary Riassunto Indice
Studio di popolazione sulle conseguenze psicosociali
di una catastrofe naturale: la frana di Sarno
A population survey on the psychosocial consequences of a natural disaster:
Sarno's landslide
ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the psychosocial consequences of the Sarno landslide of May 1998.
Methods
The study was carried out 12 months after the disaster on a random sample
(n = 272) of the population living in the highest risk area of Sarno, and
in a control group recruited at San Valentino Torio, a small town near the
disaster area, but not affected by the event. All the subjects were assessed
by means of: a) a socio-demographic form; b) a schedule on the psychosocial
consequences of the event; c) the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30);
d) the Self Rating Scale for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (SRS-PTSD).
Results
Fifty-nine percent of subjects recruited at Sarno and 35% of the control
group were identified as "probable cases" by the GHQ-30. Subjects
recruited at Sarno had higher scores on the four GHQ-30 subscales identified
by factor analysis (anxiety/insomnia, subjective effectiveness, depression,
impairment in social activities). Seventy-two (28%) of the subjects recruited
at Sarno met DSM-IV criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Conclusions
This study confirms the negative impact of a natural catastrophic event
on the mental health of the affected individuals. The results suggest the
need to plan preventive interventions to avoid the persistence of such psychological
difficulties over time.