Posttraumatic reactions to an earthquake: multidimensional scaling profile analysis of adolescent survivors

Abstract

The current study examined the prototypical profiles of posttraumatic stress reactions among a sample of 282 adolescent survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Based on a dimensional perspective, the results of profile analysis via multidimensional scaling (PAMS) model revealed a two-dimensional solution corresponding to four profiles: intrusion, avoidance/arousal, partial avoidance, and hyperarousal. These profiles of posttraumatic stress symptoms equally manifested across gender. In addition, the Intrusion Profile was found to be associated with more elevated psychological distress symptoms. Results are discussed with respect to the typical posttraumatic stress symptoms following the earthquake.

Keywords: adolescence; anxiety; multidimensional scaling model; psychological distress symptoms; well-being.