Magnitude of exposure and peritraumatic dissociation as determinants of PTSD symptoms within the aftermath of one's Ghislenghien gas explosion

This paper investigates risk factors for the production of posttraumatic stress symptoms in the different survivor groups associated with a technological disaster in Ghislenghien (Belgium). Fuel explosion instantly killed five firefighters, one policeman and 18 other individuals.

Moreover, 132 people were wounded among which many suffered severe burn injuries.

Methods: Among the framework of a large health survey of folks potentially involved in the disaster, data were collected from 3,448 households, which you will find that 7,148 persons aged 15A many years older, at 5A months (T1) and at 14A months (T2) after the explosion. Hierarchical regression was utilized to determine the numerous predictors and then to assess their proportion in variance accounted for.

Results: The degree of exposure to the disaster would be a predictor of the severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Peritraumatic dissociation seemed to be the most important predictor of one's creation of posttraumatic stress symptoms at T1. But at T2, posttraumatic stress symptoms at T1 had become the most significant predictor.

Dissatisfaction with social support was positively connected to development of posttraumatic stress symptoms at T1 and also to the maintenance of such symptoms at T2. Survivors who received psychological help reported significant benefits.

Conclusions: In harmony with the findings from studies on technological disasters, at T1 6,0% of a given respondents showed sufficient symptoms to connect with all criteria to acquire a full PTSD.



At T2, 6,6% still suffered from posttraumatic stress symptoms. The symptoms of this very different victim categories clearly indicated the rule of one's measure of exposure upon the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Problems inherent to retrospective scientific research after a disaster are discussed.