Short-term psychological support to civilians exposed to the January 2015 terrorist attacks in France

Abstract

Introduction Some projects have described post-disaster psychosocial services and planning across Europe. However, little is known about the real psychosocial disaster responses such as low-intensity initiatives after a terrorist attack Objectives This study aims (1) to describe psychological support (PS) in the immediate (<48 hours), post-immediate (48 hours – 1 week) periods and more than one week after a terrorist attack among terror-exposed people, and (2) to identify factors associated with a lack of short-term PS among those who suffered from mental health disorders. Methods This study used data from a longitudinal survey of 189 civilians exposed to the January 2015 terrorist attacks conducted 6 months after the attacks. Factors associated with lack of PS after the attacks was identified using a Robust Poisson regression in three separate models (for the 3 periods). Results Among participants who suffered from PTSD (n=34), depression (n=74), or anxiety (n=59) 6-9 months after the terrorist attacks, respectively, 9%, 18% and 12% did not received psychological support. The lack of immediate PS was associated with geographical distance, type of exposure, and support in daily life. The lack of post-immediate PS was associated with geographical distance, peri-traumatic reactions and past psychological follow-up. The lack of PS after one week was associated with geographical distance and social isolation. Conclusions Characteristics of exposition and social support seem to play an important role in lack of PS after a terrorist attack and highlights the need to use strategies to reach out to people regardless of the type of exposure. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Keywords

• Psychological support
• Epidemiology
• mental health
• Terrorist attack