Fifteen years after a ferry disaster : Clinical interviews and survivors’ self-assessment of their experience

• Background:Disasters yield increased rates of psychological disorders decades later. Other consequences, however, have received little attention in the past.Objective:We aimed to examine diagnostic status and survivors’ views on disaster-related consequences and social support.Methods:A mixed-methods approach was used with 22 survivors (of 49 eligible) 15 years after a ferry disaster. Data collection included audiotaped interviews with open-ended questions and diagnostic assessment of Axis-I disorders.Results:The post-disaster incidence was 54% (12/22) for Axis-I disorders, and 45% (10/22) for full or subsyndromal posttraumatic stress disorder. Thematic analysis revealed that survivor perception of the longterm consequences included positive (character change) and negative aspects (being ascribed a survivor identity). Participants’ sought social support for several years, yet many felt hindered by experiential dissimilarity and distress of significant others.Conclusions:Axis-I disorders were prevalent, but not salient to survivors’ perceptions in the long-term. Postdisaster interventions need to attend to common barriers to support.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Tillämpad psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Applied Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

posttraumatic stress disorder

survivors

diagnosis

social support

posttraumatic growth

mixed methods

PTSD

överlevande

posttraumatisk stress

socialt stöd

Estonia

Psychiatry

Psykiatri

Psychology

Psykologi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)