Prevalence and determinants of depression among survivors 8 months after the Wenchuan earthquake

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2014 Apr;202(4):275-9. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000000118.

Abstract

The current study assessed the estimated rate of depression and associated risk factors among survivors 8 months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. A stratified random sample of 1514 participants was recruited from all temporary camp communities in a county town 45 km away from the epicenter. The estimated rate of depression was 35.7%. The severity of depressive symptoms was significantly associated with female sex, perceived livelihood security, loss of a family member, residential house damage or collapse, and not living in an urban area, whereas married status is a protector against depressive symptoms. The results suggest that community-based effective, sustainable, and culturally sensitive interventions and services are warranted and should be directed to the groups at high risk for mental health problems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • China / epidemiology
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • Depression / etiology
  • Disasters*
  • Earthquakes*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marital Status / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / etiology
  • Survivors / psychology
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data*
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult