Effectiveness of Psycho-social Support Intervention in Qazvin Earthquake Survivors

Introduction: Psycho-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 ۲۰۰۳. Methods: In this research, about ۳۸۹ 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 ۱۰ clinical psychologists. The control group was selected from unaffected areas in Qazvin province. The research was done by using different questionnaires such as ۲۸ questions of public health; Rutter behavioral disorder; and questionnaire of stress disorder symptoms of Watson and Yule after disaster. Findings: After receiving services, psycho-pathological disorders among people at age ۱۵ or over were ۳۳/۵% (۴۵% before intervention) in the experimental group and it was ۲۳/۱% (۳۴/۱% before intervention) in children (under the age of ۱۵). Psychological support services could relieve significantly stress disorder symptoms after disasters in two groups. Conclusion: Psycho-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.