Correlates of mental health services utilization 18 months and almost 4 years postdisaster among adults with mental health problems.

The authors assess the correlates of mental health services utilization (MHS) after a disaster among adults with mental health problems. Data of a three-wave longitudinal study among adult survivors of a fireworks disaster (T1: 2-3 weeks, T2: 18 months, T3: almost 4 years postdisaster) were linked with their electronic medical records (N = 649). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that triple comorbidity of PTSD and high levels of anxiety and depression symptoms were positively associated with self-reported MHS utilization at T2 (n = 270) and T3 (n = 216).

Smoking predicts posttraumatic stress symptoms among rescue workers: a prospective study of ambulance personnel involved in the Enschede Fireworks Disaster.

Background: Examining whether smoking is a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among rescue workers affected by a disaster.

Methods: Ambulance personnel (N=66) participated in surveys 2-3 weeks (T1) and 18 months after a fireworks disaster (T2). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted with cigarette consumption at T1 as a predictor of PTSD symptoms at T2.

The correspondence between persistent self-reported post-traumatic problems and general practitioners' reports after a major disaster.

Background: Little is known about the correspondence between persistent self-reported disaster-related psychological problems and these problems reported by general practitioners (GPs). The aim of this study is to analyse this correspondence and to identify the factors associated with GPs' detection of persistent psychological problems.

Method: This study was conducted in a sample of 879 adult disaster-affected victims, taken from two longitudinal sources: the Enschede Firework Disaster Study and the GP-Monitor Study.