Effectiveness of Psycho-social Support Intervention in Qazvin Earthquake Survivors

IntroductionPsycho-social consequences and effects of natural disasters are important issues, but it has been paid little attention in our country. This research aims to study the effectiveness of psycho-social support intervention in Qazvin earthquake survivors in 2003.MethodsIn this research, about 389 of participated in meetings such as children and adults were assessed in order to determine the effectiveness of psycho-social support services for the injured before intervention and a year after providing services by 10 clinical psychologists. The control group was selected from unaffected areas in Qazvin province. The research was done by using different questionnaires such as 28 questions of public health; Rutter behavioral disorder; and questionnaire of stress disorder symptoms of Watson and Yule after disaster.FindingsAfter receiving services, psycho-pathological disorders among people at age 15 or over were 33/5% (45% before intervention) in the experimental group and it was 23/1% (34/1% before intervention) in children (under the age of 15). Psychological support services could relieve significantly stress disorder symptoms after disasters in two groups.ConclusionPsycho-social support services to the injured can greatly minimize stress disorder symptoms after stressful disasters and psycho-pathological mental disorders among survivors and also prevent the prevalence of social problems in them.