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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2012, 14, 4 (pages: 95 - 104)

Post traumatic stress spectrum and maladaptive behaviour (drug abuse included) after catastrophic events: L'Aquila 2009 earthquake as case study

Dell'osso L., Carmassi C., Conversano C., Massimetti G., Corsi M., Stratta P., Akiskal K. K., Rossi A., Akiskal S. H.

Summary: PTSD is one of the most frequently occurring sequelae in earthquake survivors and increasing literature has been focused on its potential risk factors. More recently increasing evidence has highlighted the onset of maladaptive behaviours in the same populations. The aim of the present study was to explore: 1) the role of degree of exposure (“direct” vs “indirect”), gender and age (> o ≤40) as potential risk factors for PTSD in a sample of L'Aquila 2009 earthquake survivors; 2) the role of these same variables and of PTSD as potential risk factors for maladaptive behaviours in the same sample. A group of 444 subjects was evaluated by the Trauma and Loss-Self Report (TALS-SR) 10 months after exposure. Results showed significantly higher PTSD prevalence rates in: exposed with respect to not exposed subjects; women with respect to men (in the whole sample and in all subgroups, with the only exception of the older subjects not exposed); not exposed younger women with respect to the older ones. PTSD and “direct” exposure represented a major risk factor for the presence of at least one maladaptive behaviour, with female gender playing a role only among no-PTSD subjects. For the TALS-SR item n.99 (“Use alcohol or drugs or over-the-counter medications to calm yourself …?” ) only PTSD and “direct” exposure emerged as risk factors. Our results confirm the pervasive effects of earthquakes for mental health in the general population, and highlight the role of gender and proximity as primary correlates of PTSD, and of PTSD and degree of exposure for maladaptive behaviours, particularly alcohol and substance use.