Abstract
BackgroundQuality of life (QoL) may often be reduced in survivors of a natural disaster. This paper investigated how posttraumatic growth (PTG), depression and posttraumatic stress interact and independently predict QoL in a longitudinal study of disaster survivors.MethodsA total of 58 Norwegian adults who were present in Khao Lak, Thailand at the time of the 2004 Southeast Asia Tsunami completed self-report questionnaires 2 and 6 years after the disaster. The participants reported symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress as well as PTG and QoL. Multiple mixed effects regression analyses were used to determine the independent effects of PTG, depression and posttraumatic stress on QoL measured 2 and 6 years after the disaster.ResultsPosttraumatic stress and depression were negatively related to QoL. PTG was not significantly related to QoL in a bivariate analysis. However, considerable interaction effects were found. Six years after the tsunami, high levels of posttraumatic stress were related to lower QoL in those participants with low levels of PTG, whereas lower levels of depression were related to higher QoL in those participants with high levels of PTG.ConclusionsPosttraumatic stress and depression are negatively associated with QoL after a natural disaster. PTG may serve as a moderating factor in this relationship.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12955-014-0202-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Quality of life (QoL) may often be reduced in survivors of a natural disaster
The relationship between psychological distress and QoL has been consistently negative in the scientific literature
According to the most widely utilized model [5], posttraumatic growth (PTG) is related to posttraumatic stress and depression because some level of psychological distress is necessary for PTG to develop, an assertion which has been supported by previous research on disaster survivors [6]
Summary
Quality of life (QoL) may often be reduced in survivors of a natural disaster. Reduced quality of life (QoL) has been reported after catastrophic events, such as natural disasters [1,2,3], and may be related to material losses and somatic injuries as well as psychological distress. PTG (e.g., improved personal relationships, higher appreciation of life, increased spirituality, new possibilities and increased confidence in personal strength) may even be to be positively related to QoL. It is suggested that this relationship may change over time: PTG results in a higher QoL when trauma survivors develop a sense of Siqveland et al Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (2015) 13:18 Page2of meaning, change their life priorities, and create new and valuable perspectives on living [7]
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