Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Protective and Risk Factors in 18 Survivors of a Plane Crash†
Roberto Catanesi M.D.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorVito Martino M.D.
Section of Psychiatry, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorChiara Candelli M.D., Ph.D.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGiuseppe Troccoli M.D.
MEDICA SUD, via della Resistenza, 82, 70125 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorIgnazio Grattagliano Psy.D.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGiancarlo Di Vella M.D., Ph.D.
Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Felice Carabellese M.D.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Additional information and reprint requests:
Prof. Felice Carabellese, M.D.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry
University of Bari
Piazza Giulio Cesare
70124 Bari
Italy.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorRoberto Catanesi M.D.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorVito Martino M.D.
Section of Psychiatry, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorChiara Candelli M.D., Ph.D.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGiuseppe Troccoli M.D.
MEDICA SUD, via della Resistenza, 82, 70125 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorIgnazio Grattagliano Psy.D.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGiancarlo Di Vella M.D., Ph.D.
Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Felice Carabellese M.D.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, P.zza G. Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
Additional information and reprint requests:
Prof. Felice Carabellese, M.D.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry
University of Bari
Piazza Giulio Cesare
70124 Bari
Italy.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
The aim of this study is to identify protective and risk factors related to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on a sample of survivors from a single plane crash. Eighteen survivors were examined 6 months following the event. The subjects all underwent psychiatric interviews, Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale structured interviews, personality and cognitive tests. Only 38.9% of them presented with all of the symptoms of PTSD; 22.2% showed no symptoms for PTSD; remaining survivors exhibited emotional/affective symptoms related to the event. In addition to the severity of the traumatic event itself, other risk factors identified were the loss of a relative, the manifestation of depressive symptoms, and the severity of physical injuries sustained. Low levels of hostility and high levels of self-efficacy represented protective factors against developing PTSD.
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