Posttraumatic stress disorder in mineworkers

Abstract

The following groups were identified, compared and described in this study: • The acute PTSD group (N=33), which comprised subjects with acute PTSD at the first assessment session . • The acute PTSD chronic group (N=12), which comprised subjects who had acute PTSD during the first assessment and who had chronic PTSD during the second assessment session. • The acute PTSD in-remission group (N=18), which comprised subjects with acute PTSD during the first assessment and whose symptoms remitted during the second assessment session. • The primary acute PTSD group (N=13), which comprised subjects who had a history of PTSD and who developed primary (reactivated) PTSD by the first assessment as a result of the earth-fall accidents. • The new acute PTSD group(N=20), who had acute PTSD for the first time at the first assessment session. • The chronic PTSD group (N=16), who had chronic PTSD at the first assessment session. • The delayed onset PTSD group (N=3), who had only developed PTSD by the second assessment session. • The non-PTSD group (N=121), who did not have PTSD at either assessment sessions. When the results are summarized, it appears that certain modulating, precipitating and predisposing factors in the pathogenesis of PTSD tended to increase the vulnerability of the development of acute and chronic PTSD. The results of chapter 8 also indicated that.the course and.severity of the PTSD symptoms, the comorbid disorders and the associated symptoms tended to differ according to the types of PTSD, namely, acute PTSD, primary acute PTSD (reactived PTSD), and chronic PTSD. The results of the above groups - which have previously been summarized (see paragraphs 3.5; 4.6; 5.7; 6.2; 7.4) - are therefore integrated, summarized and discussed in terms of i) the profile of mine employees with acute PTSD, ii) the profile of mine employees with primary PTSD (reactivated), iii) the profile of mine employees with chronic PTSD, and iv) the profile of mine employees with delayed onset PTSD. The profiles are subsequently presented in terms of their modulating factors, stress factors, predisposing factors, the severity of symptoms, cluster B symptoms, cluster C symptoms, cluster D symptoms, comorbid disorders, and associated symptoms.