PTSD نيابي در همسران جانبازان شيميايي سردشت

Vicarious PTSD in Sardasht chemical warfare victimsʹ wives

Introduction: This study was to evaluate the vicarious or secondary post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Sardasht chemical warfare victimsʹ wives. Method: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 306 persons were analyzed in two case (150 wives of Sardasht chemical warfare victims) and control (156 wives of Sardasht normal families) groups. A 39-query Mississippi questionnaire was filled for each person in order to evaluate the severity of PTSD. Results: The total Mississippi degree was 128.68+12.67 in chemical warfare victimsʹ wives and 111.27+21.21 in control group. The prevalence and severity of PTSD in chemical warfare victimsʹ wives were sensibly more than the control group. The total Mississippi score in chemical victims (case groupʹs husbands) was higher than normal people (control groupʹs husbands). Conclusion: According to high prevalence and severity of this disorder in chemical warfare victimsʹ wives, it is necessary to follow up and treat the involved cases