中華心理學刊 民 91，44 卷，2 期，167-188
Chinese Journal of Psychology 2002, Vol.44, No.2, 167-188

Sue-Huei Chen（Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University）；Fu-Chien Hung（Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University）；Yaw-Sheng Lin（Department of Psychology, Kaohiung Medical University）；Hsu-Min Tseng（Department of Healthcare Management, Chang Gung University）

Abstract

This study evaluated the peri-and post-traumatic psychological responses as well as changes of physical and psychological health, outlook on life, and interpersonal relationships three months after the devastating 921 Chi-Chi Earthquake among two groups of middle-aged adults in Taiwan. One hundred and ninety-seven adults from high-impact areas, Taichung and Nantou Counties, and 117 adults from Taipei, a low-imapct area, were evaluated. Self-report measures included demographic and earthquake exposure information, the Peritraumatic Psychological Reaction Index (PPRI), the Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index (PTSRI), and the Psychosocial Change Questionnaire (PCQ). The results indicated that: 1) high-exposure adults manifested significantly more immediate and persistent posttraumatic psychological responses, and endorsed more negative reports concerning physical/psychological health and intimate/general interpersonal relationships; and 2) while previous trauma studies often reported more negative and pathology-toned behavioral manifestations, this study found both positive and negative changes among high-exposure adults after the disaster. Regarding outlooks on life, there were relatively equal proportions of high-exposure adults becoming more optimistic, staying unchanged, and becoming more pessimistic. Similar trisection patterns were noted in their interpersonal relationships, i.e., getting closer, staying unchanged, and getting more distant/detached. This study demonstrates the utility of the instruments in evaluating individuals affected by natural disasters and feasibility of developing psychometrically sound measures for future study on traumatic responses and treatment. The results also suggest the importance of implementing post-disaster psychosocial rehabilitation programs aimed at transformation of traumatic experiences into a more adaptive direction.

Keywords：Peritraumatic psychological responses, Posttraumatic psychological responses, Earthquake exposure, Psychosocial aftermath, The 921 Chi-Chi Earthquake