Acute psychological reactions of children and adolescents after the marmara earthquake: A brief preliminary report


Abali O., Tüzün Ü., Göktürk Ü., Gürkan K., Alyanak B., GÖRKER I.

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, cilt.7, sa.2, ss.283-287, 2002 (Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 7 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2002
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/1359104502007002013
  • Dergi Adı: Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.283-287
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Acute stress disorder, Children and adolescents, Disaster, Earthquake, Psychological
  • Trakya Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

An earthquake took place in August 1999 in the Marmara region of Turkey. A psychiatry team from Istanbul arrived two weeks later. Children and adolescents under 19 years of age were evaluated by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. A semi-structured clinical interview was administered to every patient presented. In addition, a non-structured, clinical interview was administered. One hundred and two children and adolescents were interviewed. The most frequent complaint was a 'fear of being alone' (96%), and the most common diagnosis given to these patients was acute stress disorder (74.5%). A considerable number of children started experiencing severe psychological symptoms immediately after the earthquake. Psychological support and treatment should be started as soon as possible, in such circumstances.