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. 2017 Mar 16:13:10-19.
doi: 10.2174/1745017901713010010. eCollection 2017.

Moderate Depression Promotes Posttraumatic Growth (Ptg): A Young Population Survey 2 Years after the 2009 L'Aquila Earthquake

V Bianchini  1 , L Giusti  2   3 , A Salza  2   3 , V Cofini  2 , M G Cifone  2 , M Casacchia  2 , L Fabiani  2 , R Roncone  2   3
Affiliations

Moderate Depression Promotes Posttraumatic Growth (Ptg): A Young Population Survey 2 Years after the 2009 L'Aquila Earthquake

V Bianchini et al. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. .

Abstract

Background: Earthquakes can result in a range of psychopathology and in negative and positive consequences for survivors.

Objective: To examine the association between clinical aftereffects (anxiety and depressive symptoms) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) among young survivors of the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, Italy.

Method: 316 young earthquake survivors enrolled in the University of L'Aquila were evaluated two years after the natural disaster. Participants completed three main questionnaires, including Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI).

Results: 59.6% of the student sample showed different levels of depression, whereas 13.3% reported anxiety symptoms. In both clinical dimensions (anxiety and depression), gender differences were found: female gender was confirmed risk factor for a clinical post-traumatic response. Personal PTG, demonstrated by 18% of the L'Aquila youths included in our sample, was predicted by moderate levels of depression (O.R. 2.7). In our model, gender, age, and anxiety did not show any predictive value.

Conclusion: In a post-traumatic setting, the development of individual cognitive strategies is crucial, whereas after a natural disaster, paradoxically, a moderate depressive condition and the related distress could promote the drive to overcome the psychological consequences of the traumatic event.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Disaster; Earthquake; PTSD; Post Traumatic Growth.

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