TY  - EJOU
AU  - Choi, Yun-Jung 
AU  - Kwak, Jae-Won 
AU  - Namgung, Hae-In 

TI  - Citizens’ Mental Health Issues and Psychological Trauma Experience due to a Crowd-Crush Disaster in Korea
T2  - International Journal of Mental Health Promotion

PY  - 2024
VL  - 26
IS  - 6
SN  - 2049-8543

AB  - 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 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Additionally, people who avoided the disaster area had significantly higher depression and PTSD scores than those who did not avoid the area (<i>p</i> < 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 (<i>p</i> = 0.005). There was a significant difference in PTSD scores in cases of direct damage or death of an acquaintance (<i>p</i> < 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.
KW  - Anxiety; avoidance; depression; disaster experience; mental health PTSD; psychological trauma

DO  - 10.32604/ijmhp.2024.050458