A study of posttraumatic stress symptoms among young adults in Japan : correlates and effects on mental health and quality of life

抄録

Objective : To ascertain posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) as a result of experiencing intensely stressful events and to determine the correlates and effects of PTSS on mental health and quality of life (QOL).
Design : A cross sectional study.
Subjects and Methods : An online survey of survey panelists ages 25-29 who registered with an online survey company.
Results : 1) Seventy percent of subjects had experienced stressful events, and the most stressful events they experienced related to “school” and “personal relationships” (in that order). Subjects with an IES-R score of 25 points or more, suggesting PTSD, accounted for 28% of subjects. 2) Severe PTSS were associated with a lower level of education. 3) Mental health and the mental component of health-related QOL tended to worsen with more severe PTSS. Overall mental health was also better with higher awareness of support from family. 4) Awareness of support from family or others was not found to moderate the effects of PTSS on mental health and health-related QOL.
Conclusions : These findings suggested that a relatively high percentage of individuals experienced intensely stressful life events besides those that are considered to have a profound impact. Findings also suggested that some individuals with those experiences develop somewhat more intense stress symptoms and that these symptoms may affect mental health and quality of life.