Vicarious PTSD in Sardasht chemical warfare victims' wives

Introduction: This study was to evaluate the vicarious or secondary post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Sardasht chemical warfare victims' wives.   Method: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, ۳۰۶ persons were analyzed in two case (۱۵۰ wives of Sardasht chemical warfare victims) and control (۱۵۶ wives of Sardasht normal families) groups. A ۳۹-query Mississippi questionnaire was filled for each person in order to evaluate the severity of PTSD.   Results: The total Mississippi degree was ۱۲۸.۶۸±۱۲.۶۷ in chemical warfare victims' wives and ۱۱۱.۲۷±۲۱.۲۱ in control group. The prevalence and severity of PTSD in chemical warfare victims' wives were sensibly more than the control group. The total Mississippi score in chemical victims (case group's husbands) was higher than normal people (control group's husbands).   Conclusion: According to high prevalence and severity of this disorder in chemical warfare victims' wives, it is necessary to follow up and treat the involved cases.

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Keywords: PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) , Vicarious Trauma , Chemical Victims , chemical warfare