Posttraumatic symptomatology of a rural Filipino population in Merida, Leyte in the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)
- Author:
Rodelen C. Paccial
;
Mark Philip R. Rivera
;
Bernard B. Argamosa
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Post traumatic symptomatology
- MeSH:
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic;
Natural Disasters;
Cyclonic Storms
- From:
The Philippine Journal of Psychiatry
2019;41(2):3-9
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:The goal of the research was to provide local
data on the varieties of posttraumatic symptomatology among
survivors of Super typhoon Haiyan in a rural community in
Merida, Leyte.
Methodology:This is a single point
non-invasive study of Filipino survivors of typhoon Yolanda
who came from Merida, Leyte, involving administration
of a symptom checklist i.e. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Checklist- Civilian version (PCL-C) to assess the occurrence
of posttraumatic symptoms in the selected group of
volunteers with no history of psychiatric illness. The PCL-C
was given as part of a community screening for symptoms of
PTSD conducted three months after the typhoon. There were
two ways of scoring the PTSD Checklist- Civilian version
(PCL-C) - either by computing for the total severity score or
by scoring each response category just like one would in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV TR) criteria. The
sum of all PCL-C item scores indicated the severity of Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A score of 30 and above
represented the occurrence of PTSD. T-test was used to
determine differences in the severity scores of those who met
the criteria for PTSD using the total "severity scoring method"
and those who did not.
Results:A total of 29 respondents
took part in the study where the majority were female (28/29
or 96.55%). The results showed that Filipinos suffered more
re-experiencing symptoms but less avoidance symptoms
compared to the DSM IV-TR criteria. Nine of 29 (31.03%)
respondents were assessed as having Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) based on the total "severity score method':
However, none fulfilled the PTSD DSM IV TR criteria when
the response "category scoring method" was used. Those who
met the severity criteria had significantly higher scores in
items 1 (Repeated, disturbing memories, thoughts, or images
of a stressful experience from the past?), 3 (Suddenly acting
or feeling as if a stressful experience were happening again?),
5 (Having physical reactions when something reminded you
of a stressful experience from the past?), 6 (Avoid thinking
about or talking about a stressful experience from the past or
avoid having feelings related to it?) and 13 (Trouble falling
or staying asleep?).
Conclusion:There seems to be a
difference in how the Filipinos experience trauma compared to Western models such as described in the Diagnostic
Symptom Manual (DSM IV TR) criteria though caution is
warranted in interpreting the results due to the small sample
size and the predominance of female respondents.
- Full text:pjp 41-2-1.pdf
