Psychopathology, Psychological Symptoms and their Demographic Correlates in Female Adult Flood Victims

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of psychopathology, its severity of the symptoms and its demographic correlates in the female flood victims if Muzaffargarh. In the present study non-probability purposive sampling design was used. The sample consisted of 208 participants with the age range of 20 to 70 years, (Mean =36.9). Demographic questionnaire, screening and diagnostic tools were used for data collection. The results revealed that Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) was the most commonly diagnosed disorder while Dysthymic Disorder along with Major Depressive Disorder were also present. The founding’s showed severe symptoms of Post Traumatic Disorder (PTSD) and Generalized Anxiety and Disorder (GAD) too. Death of relative due to fold was strongly associated with psychopathology. Monetary losses were related to both psychopathology and severity of symptoms.

Keywords: Clinical Symptoms, Flood, Psychopathology, Psychological Symptoms, Women.

Bogoglu, M., Kling, C., &Livanoul, M. (2004). Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid depression in earthquake survivors in Turkey: an epidemiological study. Journal of traumatic stress.17.133-141. Retrieved July 28, 2011, from Springerlink database.

Cross, R. (2010). World disasters report 2010–focus on urban risk. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva.

Duckworth, M. P., & Follette, V. M. (2012). Retraumatization: Assessment, treatment, and prevention. Routledge.

Gater, R., Tansella, M., Korten, A., Tiemens, B. G., Mavreas, V. G., & Olatawura, M. O. (1998). Sex differences in the prevalence and detection of depressive and anxiety disorders in general health care settings: report from the World Health Organization Collaborative Study on Psychological Problems in General Health Care. Archives of general psychiatry, 55(5), 405-413.

Howell, H. B., Brawman-Mintzer, O., Monnier, J., & Yonkers, K. A. (2001). Generalized anxiety disorder in women. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 24(1), 165-178.

Kendler, K. S., Karkowski, L. M., & Prescott, C. A. (1999). Causal relationship between stressful life events and the onset of major depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 156(6), 837-841.

Kendler, K. S., Kessler, R. C., Walters, E. E., MacLean, C., Neale, M. C., Heath, A. C., & Eaves, L. J. (2010). Stressful life events, genetic liability, and onset of an episode of major depression in women. Focus, 8(3), 459-470.

Khan, M. N. S., Alam, S., Warris, S. H., & Mujtaba, M. (2007). Frequency of post-traumatic stress disorder and its association with types of physical injuries and depression in earthquake victims. PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, 23(3), 386.

Kindler, K. S., Karkowski, L. M., & Prescott, C.A, (2004).Causal relationship between stressful life events and the onset of major depression.American Journal Of Psychiatry. 161, 1390-1396. Retrieved March 11, 2011, from Psycarticles database.

McLean, C. P., Asnaani, A., Litz, B. T., & Hofmann, S. G. (2011). Gender differences in anxiety disorders: prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illness. Journal of psychiatric research, 45(8), 1027-1035.

Neria, Y., Galea, S., & Norris, F. H. (2009). 35 Disaster Mental Health Research: Current State, Gaps in Knowledge, and Future Directions.

Norris, F.H., Freedman, J., Watson, P.J., Byre, C. J., Diaz, E., &Kaniasty, K. ( 2002). 60,000 disaster vicims speak: part I, An empirical Literature, 1981-2001.Journal of Washington school of psychiatry.65.207-269. Retrieved June 24, 2011, from http://guilfordjournals.com/loi/psyc.

North, C. S., Kawasaki, A., Spitznagel, E. L., & Hong, B. A. (2004). The course of PTSD, major depression, substance abuse, and somatization after a natural disaster. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 192(12), 823-829.

Noyes, R., & Hoehn-Saric, R. (1998). Generalized anxiety disorder. The Anxiety Disorders.

Otto, K., Boos, A., Dalbert, C., Schöps, D., & Hoyer, J. (2006). Posttraumatic symptoms, depression, and anxiety of flood victims: The impact of the belief in a just world. Personality and individual differences, 40(5), 1075-1084.

Otto, K., Boos, A., Dalbert, C., Schöps, D., & Hoyer, J. (2006). Posttraumatic symptoms, depression, and anxiety of flood victims: The impact of the belief in a just world. Personality and individual differences, 40(5), 1075-1084.

Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., Tarakeshwar, N., & Hahn, J. (2004). Religious coping methods as predictors of psychological, physical and spiritual outcomes among medically ill elderly patients: A two-year longitudinal study. Journal of health psychology, 9(6), 713-730.

Phillips, K. W. (2003). The effects of categorically based expectations on minority influence: The importance of congruence. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29(1), 3-13.

Reyes, G., Elhai, J. D., & Ford, J. D. (2008). The encyclopedia of psychological trauma. John Wiley & Sons.

Sitwat, A., Asad, S., & Yousaf, A. (2015). Psychopathology, Psychiatric Symptoms and their Demographic Correlates in Female Adolescents Flood Victims. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 25(12), 886-890.

Solberg, K. (2010). Worst floods in living memory leave Pakistan in paralysis. The Lancet, 376(9746), 1039-1040. Stevens, H.

Stevens, H. (Eds.). (2008). Psychological approaches to generalized anxiety disorder: A clinicians perspective. USA: Humana Press. Retrieved July 26, 2011 from Google books.