Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress, Depression and Anxiety among Youths Exposed to a Massive Fire Disaster in Greece

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety among children and adolescents exposed to the 2007 fire disaster in Greece along with the relationships of these symptoms with disaster-related stressors and sociodemographic characteristics four months after the fire. Methodology: A sample of 343 youths aged 9-18 years from schools in an area severely affected by the fire completed self-reported questionnaires. The Children’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Reaction Index-Revised (CPTSD-RI-R), the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) were used to assess relative symptoms, while fire-related stressors were also examined in respondents. Results: The estimated prevalence rates of high levels of PTSD, depressive and anxiety symptoms four months after the disaster were approximately 45%, 34% and 32%, respectively. Staying without both parents after the fire was strongly associated with more PTSD symptoms, while housing adversity and loss of property were most strongly associated with elevated depressive symptoms. Life-threatening experience of a loved one and worry for a loved one predicted higher levels of PTSD symptomatology, whereas injury of a loved one was associated with high levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: A significant proportion of children and adolescents exposed to 2007 Greek forest fires experienced mental health problems four months after the fire. Different types of stressors were associated with PTSD, depressive and anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of preventive and treatment mental health services in the aftermath of similar disasters.