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Psychological Consequences of the Kegworth Air Disaster

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

W. Gregg ,
I. Medley ,
R. Fowler-Dixon ,
P. Curran ,
G. Loughrey ,
P. Bell ,
A. Lee  and
G. Harrison
W. Gregg*
Affiliation:
Holywell Hospital
I. Medley
Affiliation:
Mapperley Hospital, Nottingham
R. Fowler-Dixon
Affiliation:
Stanley Royds Hospital, Wakefield
P. Curran
Affiliation:
Mater Hospital, Belfast
P. Bell
Affiliation:
Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Belfast
A. Lee
Affiliation:
Mapperley Hospital, Nottingham
G. Harrison
Affiliation:
University Hospital, Nottingham
*
Dr William Gregg, Holywell Hospital, Antrim, Co. Antrim BT41 2RJ, Northern Ireland
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Abstract

Background

The study sought to quantify psychiatric morbidity among survivors of a major air crash and to identify aetiological factors linked with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Method

Sixty-eight of the 79 survivors (86%) were assessed at a clinical interview within one year of the disaster. The majority also completed the General Health Questionnaire, the Impact of Events Scale (IES) and the Zung Anxiety and Depression Scales.

Results

Fifty-four of the study group (79%) met DSM–III–R criteria for a psychiatric disorder within one year of the disaster, of whom 27 (50%) had PTSD. Those who saw injured or dead people at the scene, or had sustained less severe injuries as measured by their Injury Severity Scores, or were under 35 years old, were significantly more likely to develop PTSD.

Conclusions

High rates of psychiatric morbidity are found in survivors of transportation disasters. Further studies are needed to identify those at most risk and to evaluate the benefits of psychological intervention.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 6 , December 1995 , pp. 812 - 817
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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