Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Social Support Among Children and Adolescents After the 2010 Haitian Earthquake

Abstract

This study explored the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms related to social support received by the children and adolescents who survived the earthquake on January 12, 2010, in Haiti. A strategy of stratified sampling was used, and 540 children and teenagers were questioned. Questionnaires based on the PTSD Checklist, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory, among others, were used and bivariate statistical analyses were carried out. The results showed high rates of complete and partial PTSD symptoms, with higher rates among females, and indicated the need for reinforcing social support as a resilience factor for youth.

KEYWORDS:

• children and adolescents
• earthquake
• Haiti
• PTSD symptoms
• social support

Acknowledgments

This research was financed by the National Research Agency (Grant ANR-10-HAIT-002 RECREAHVI).

Notes

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Daniel Derivois

Daniel Derivois is a lecturer in psychology and clinical psychologist, Centre de Recherche en Psychopathologie et Psychologie Clinique, University of Lyon. His research interests include violence and traumatism within children and adolescents, as well as cross-cultural perspective.

Georges Gaston Mérisier

Georges Gaston Mérisier is director of the Research Center, EDITEC. His research focuses on education and schooling.

Jude-Mary Cénat

Jude-Mary Cénat is a PhD student in the Centre de Recherche en Psychopathologie et Psychologie Clinique, University of Lyon. Cénat's research interests include traumatism within adulthood.

Val Castelot

Val Castelot is a social worker, Université d'Etat d'Haïti/EDITEC. Castelot's research focuses on social problems.