J Korean Med Sci.  2019 Jul;34(28):e194. 10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e194.

Posttraumatic Symptoms and Change of Complicated Grief among Bereaved Families of the Sewol Ferry Disaster: One Year Follow-up Study

• Han H
• Yun JA
• Huh HJ
• Huh S
• Hwang J
• Joo JY
• Yoon YA
• Shin EG
• Choi WJ
• Lee S
• Chae JH

• KMID: 2452634
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e194

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to determine whether severity and severity change of coexisting psychiatric symptoms might affect change of complicated grief (CG) regarding the Sewol ferry disaster.
METHODS
Data from a cross-sectional survey were obtained 18 months (Time 1) and 30 months (Time 2) after the disaster. We ascertained sociodemographic variables and variables obtained from self-reporting questionnaires (i.e., CG, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], insomnia, embitterment, and suicidal risk) among 56 bereaved family members.
RESULTS
Severity of other psychiatric symptoms at Time 1 had no effect on change of CG at Time 2. However, changes in severity of PTSD over a year affected change of CG.
CONCLUSION
It is important to evaluate changes in severity of PTSD and its treatment during management of CG, especially when it involves bereaved families experiencing a traumatic accident.

Keyword

Grief; Bereavement; Disasters; Traumatic Loss

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Bereavement
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Disasters*
Follow-Up Studies*
Grief*
Humans
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic