Psychiatric disorders among victims of a courthouse shooting spree: A three-year follow-up study

Sharon D. Johnson, Carol S North, Elizabeth M. Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the longitudinal course of psychiatric sequelae of a mass shooting incident at a courthouse. A sample of 80 individuals was examined 6-8 weeks after the incident and 77 of these were reassessed one and three years later using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule/Disaster Supplement. Only 5% of the study sample met criteria for PTSD after this incident. Universal distress, however, was evident as 96% of the respondents reported PTSD symptoms and 75% described the incident as "very upsetting." The need for intervention among symptomatic individuals not meeting diagnostic criteria should not be discounted as subdiagnostic distress may warrant specific intervention.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)181-194
Number of pages14
JournalCommunity Mental Health Journal
Volume38
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2002

Keywords

  • Disaster
  • Mass shooting
  • PTSD
  • Trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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