Psychological, Physical and Behavioral Health of Adults, 3 Years After Exposure to a Train Derailment

Abstract

In July 2013, a train derailment profoundly disrupted the tranquility of the population of Lac-Mégantic for months and even years. In 2016, we conducted a representative population-based survey among 387 people from Lac-Mégantic and 413 from other municipalities with the aim to document psychological and physical health of adults exposed to the disaster. This article examines differences between 3 groups of respondents: those who were highly, moderately or not exposed to the train accident. Khi Square analyses, odds ratios and logistic regressions were used to examine differences between the 3 groups of respondents (high, moderate and no exposure). Results show that the level of exposure to this technological disaster is strongly associated with psychological suffering, post-traumatic growth, physical heath, drinking patterns, and use of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs. We can explain these results by the nature and cause of the event as well as its consequences.

What Are the Predictors of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among Road Traffic Accident Survivors

“…However, in another study by Khodadadi-Hassankiadeh et al (2017b), being employed or self-employed before the RTA was not a predictor. Studies by Yaşan et al (2009), Huh et al (2017), and Maltais et al (2022) observed that unemployment after the RTA in 3 months to 3 years was also not a predictor. Finally, Blanchard et al (1995a, 1995b) did not prove the work status before the RTA to be a predictor after the RTA in 1 to 4 months.…”

“…Lee et al (2021) reported that older students' age was a predictor 2.5 years after the accident (Lee et al, 2021). A study by Maltais et al (2022) has said that people older than 65 years are more susceptible to being diagnosed with PTSD 3 years after a train derailment. Age was a significant predictor in seven studies with 6,101 participants.…”

“…Marital status was a predictor in families with unknown status but was not remarkable among students after 2.5 years of the accident (Chossegros et al, 2011; Lee et al, 2021). Most of the studies had nonpredicting results for marital status (Bedaso et al, 2020; Blanchard et al, 1996b; Huh et al, 2017; Kupchik et al, 2007; Lee et al, 2021; Li et al, 2021; Maltais et al, 2022; Papadakaki et al, 2017; Yohannes et al, 2018). Marital status was a significant predictor in two studies with 669 participants.…”

“…The cognitive processing during RTA was assessed by Ehring and colleagues in three studies, showing that the factor was a predictor of PTSD in 2 weeks to less than 12 months (Ehring et al, 2008a; Ehring et al, 2006; Ehring et al, 2008b). The self-perceived threat was a predictor between 2 weeks and 3 years (Berna et al, 2012; Blanchard et al, 1995a, 1995b; Dougall et al, 2001; Ehlers et al, 1998; Ehring et al, 2008b; Fujita and Nishida, 2008; Hyun and Bae, 2017; Kovacevic et al, 2021; Maltais et al, 2022; Matsuoka et al, 2008; Nishi et al, 2013). Nonsignificant results were assessed between 3 to 12 months (Dougall et al, 2001; Ehlers et al, 1998; Landolt et al, 2005).…”

“…The death threat was a significant predictor in RTA survivors between 1 month and 3 years (Arora et al, 2021; Blanchard et al, 1996a, 1996b; Jeavons, 2000; Maltais et al, 2022; Ryb et al, 2009). In addition, the threat of death was a significant predictor in 5 studies with 895 participants.…”