Prevalence and predictors of PTSD and depression among adolescent victims of the 2016 tornado in Yancheng City.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in the adolescents who experienced the 2016 Yancheng tornado 3 months ago, as well as to analyze the related risk factors. A total of 247 tornado adolescent survivors were recruited to complete child PTSD symptom scale and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children. Results showed that 57.5% and 58.7% of the participants reported suspected symptoms of PTSD and depression respectively. PTSD is highly comorbid with depression. Risk factors of these two disorders were age and tornado exposure. Finally, the implications of intervention and prevention of mental health problems among adolescents who experienced tornado were discussed.