Open Access

ARTICLE

Citizens’ Mental Health Issues and Psychological Trauma Experience due to a Crowd-Crush Disaster in Korea

Yun-Jung Choi^1,#,*, Jae-Won Kwak^2,#, Hae-In Namgung³

1 Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
2 Graduate School of Nursing and Professions, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
3 Nursing Department, Graduate School of Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, South Korea

* Corresponding Author: Yun-Jung Choi. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2024, 26(6), 439-447. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2024.050458

Received 07 February 2024; Accepted 30 April 2024; Issue published 28 June 2024

Abstract

This study evaluated the state of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, general mental health, and mental well-being among citizens after a crowd-crush disaster in Korea. Individuals who experienced the crowd crush had significantly higher anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores than those who did not (p < 0.001). Additionally, people who avoided the disaster area had significantly higher depression and PTSD scores than those who did not avoid the area (p < 0.001). Those who directly witnessed the Seoul Halloween crowd crush had a significant difference in PTSD levels in either group than those who experienced it indirectly (p = 0.005). There was a significant difference in PTSD scores in cases of direct damage or death of an acquaintance (p < 0.001). The Seoul Halloween crowd crush caused psychological damage through indiscriminate exposure to the public, and symptoms of PTSD appeared over a long period. It is crucial to provide essential resources for ongoing treatment and case management.

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Keywords

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