Mental health and its impact factors among adolescents in Wenchuan earthquake disaster area

ObjectiveTo explore the time change of mental health and its influencing factors among adolescents in an earthquake-hit area after the disaster.MethodsGrade one students from two junior high schools in the severely and slightly earthquake-hit areas of Wenchuan were selected for a survey with 5 follow-ups during 2 years.Analysis of variance and latent variable growth curve in structure equation model were used in statistical analyses.ResultsTotally 977 students(49% boys and 51% girls)participated in the follow-up survey.Repeated measure analyses showed that the mental health,self-esteem and positive coping style of the adolescents in the severely affected areas were significantly lower than those of the students in slightly affected areas(P<0.05 for all) but negative coping style score was not different.There were as descending trends in mental health and self-esteem and an ascending trend in negative coping style in the adolescents.Latent variable growth curve model showed that the protective factors of mental health were self-esteem and positive coping style(-0.006,P<0.05);while negative coping style(0.056,P<0.05)could hinder healthy psychological development of the adolescents.The mental health of the boys was better than that of the girls(-0.123, P<0.05),but no significant gender difference was observed.ConclusionThe mental health of adolescents in Wenchuan earthquake disaster area had dynamic change.Earthquake had adverse effects on mental health,but internal adjustment can promote the development of mental health among the adolescents.