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[Terrorist attacks and short-long time psychiatric morbidity].
E Baca1, M L Cabanas, E Baca-García
1Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain.
Actas Espanolas De Psiquiatria
|May 25, 2002
Summary
Terrorist attack survivors and their relatives experience long-term mental health issues. This study confirms persistent psychological distress in victims and their families, impacting overall well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Trauma Studies
- Public Health
Context:
- Terrorist attacks significantly impact mental health.
- Previous research focused on short-term effects.
- Long-term psychological consequences for victims and families remain under-explored.
Purpose:
- To assess the long-term mental health of individuals affected by terrorist attacks.
- To compare the mental health of direct victims, their relatives, and a combined group with the general population.
Summary:
- A study of 2998 individuals from 544 families affected by terrorist attacks used the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28).
- 39.6% of the sample showed probable psychiatric conditions, with higher prevalence in direct victims and their relatives (52.0%-54.5%) compared to the general population (10-25%).
- Both short-term (0-2 years) and long-term (18-20 years) follow-ups revealed significantly worse mental health levels in victims and their families compared to the general population.
Impact:
- Highlights the enduring mental health burden on terrorist attack survivors and their families.
- Underscores the need for sustained psychological support systems for this population.
- Informs public health policies regarding long-term care for trauma survivors.