Decrease in the traumatic symptoms observed in child survivors within three years of the 2011 Japan earthquake and...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychology
• Disaster Psychiatry
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• The 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami caused widespread devastation and psychological distress, particularly among children.
• Assessing the long-term impact of such disasters on child mental health is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the changes in traumatic symptoms among children at 8, 20, and 30 months post-2011 tsunami.
• To identify trends in Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms for Children (PTSSC-15) scores over time.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study involving over 12,000 children using the Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms for Children 15 items (PTSSC-15) questionnaire.
• Data collection occurred at 8, 20, and 30 months after the tsunami, with high response rates at each period.
• Analysis focused on total scores, PTSD subscale, and Depression subscale of the PTSSC-15.

Main Results:

• Significant decreases in total PTSSC-15 scores and the PTSD subscale were observed at 20 and 30 months compared to 8 months post-tsunami.
• The Depression subscale also showed significant improvement at 30 months compared to 8 and 20 months.
• While overall improvement was noted, some children's symptoms did not show significant reduction over the study period.

Conclusions:

• Traumatic symptoms in children exposed to the 2011 tsunami generally decreased over 30 months, suggesting natural recovery.
• The persistence of symptoms in some children highlights the need for continued monitoring and tailored support for pediatric disaster survivors.