Abstract

The study aimed to determine the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale and the Coping Mechanisms utilized by the Internally Displaced Persons of Typhoon Yolanda. It sought to identify the profile, risk factors of the respondents, the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms manifested and coping mechanisms utilized. The study also distinguished the differences in PTSD and Coping mechanisms when respondents are grouped according to their profile and death of family members and examined the relationship of PTSD and Coping. The study adopted the PTSD Symptom Scale and Brief COPE Inventory questionnaires and were consequently translated to Visayan-Waray. These were then pilot-tested with high reliability scores. Statistical treatments were then applied to reveal the findings of the study.

The respondents were 73.3 percent female, while 55.3 percent were middle-aged adults, and 42 percent finished high school. It also revealed that 64.7 percent were married, 60 percent were employed, 57.3 percent were earning less than P40,000 annual family income, and 76 percent stayed in the bunkhouses between 19 to 20 months. Out of the 150 respondents, 56 have only one death among their family members. As to the injuries sustained during the typhoon, 67 respondents reported no injuries. The respondents who lost their appliances, cash and homes to the typhoon were 149, 145 and 100, respectively. With regard to the PTSD Symptom scale, the most common symptom manifested by the respondents was Avoidance of the Stimuli (WM=2.28). This was followed by symptoms of Intrusions (WM=1.83), Increased Arousal and Reactivity (WM=1.31) and Changes in Cognition and Mood (WM=1.12) and manifested Symptom of Distress (WM=1.61).

It was further revealed that 56 percent had symptom onset in less than 6 months, 86 percent had a symptom duration of more than 1 month, 53.3 percent have probable diagnosis of PTSD and the Symptoms were also endured at severe levels by 40 percent of the respondents.

As to the coping mechanisms utilized, it was revealed that Religion (WM=2.96) was the most frequently used coping. Other coping mechanisms used frequently were: Planning (WM=2.89), Active Coping (WM=2.80), Positive Reframing (WM=2.71), Acceptance (WM=2.69), and Self-Distraction (WM=2.59). Meanwhile, occasionally used coping mechanisms are: Venting (WM=2.37); Use of Emotional Support (WM=2.30); Humor (WM=2.01); Behavioral Disengagement (WM=1.95); Use of Instrumental Support (WM=1.81); and Denial (WM=1.53). Rarely used was Self-Blame (WM 1.10) while Substance Use (WM=0.35) was found to be never used. Significant differences were found in: gender and PTSD probable diagnosis (p=0.048); civil status with distress (p=0.028) and severity (p=0.001); highest educational attainment and changes in cognition and mood (p=0.010); average annual family income and symptom onset (p=0.007); length of stay in the bunkhouses and symptom onset (p=0.038); death of family members with changes in cognition and mood (p=0.038) and symptom onset (p=0.013). As to the coping mechanisms, it was deduced from the grand p results that no significant differences were noted when respondents were grouped to profile and death of family members. The study also determined significant relationships in the PTSD Symptom Scale and Coping Mechanisms among the IDPs of typhoon Yolanda. Specifically, it identified the relationships of coping mechanism with the symptoms of avoidance of the stimuli (p=0.000), changes in cognition and mood (p=0.022), increased arousal and reactivity (p=0.001), and symptom onset (p=0.033) and severity (p=0.020).

Author Details

Paul Biluan DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Sigma Membership

Beta Alpha

Type

Thesis

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Descriptive/Correlational

Research Approach

Quantitative Research

Keywords:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Coping Mechanisms, Internally Displaced Persons, Natural Disasters

Advisor

Jocelyn M. Medina

Degree

Master's

Degree Grantor

Our Lady of Fatima University

Degree Year

2016

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Full Text of Presentation

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