Posttraumatic stress and change in lifestyle among the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake victims.

Abstract

In 1995, Japan's Hanshin-Awaji area was severely damaged by a major earthquake. Lifestyle factors, sometimes associated with physical health and mortality, have also been known to be associated with mental health status. This report examines the relationship between the subsequent change in lifestyle and the psychological stress induced by the earth quake. An investigation was made of 108 male inhabitants of Awaji Island as to their individual lifestyle before and after the great earthquake, any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and their demographic variables. The mean PTSD score was higher in the worse lifestyle group than in the no/better lifestyle change group. Category B or D of PTSD scores were higher in the worse lifestyle group than in the no/better lifestyle change group. The percentage of subjects who lived in temporary public housing was higher in the worse lifestyle group than in the no/better lifestyle change group. Worse change in lifestyle might be associated with high PTSD score in victims of Hanshin-Awaji earthquake.