Intensity of Event, Resilience and Education as Factors in Posttraumatic Stress Symptomatology among Flood Victims

This study was aimed at assessing intensity of event, resilience and education in posttraumatic stress disorder among flood victims. The objective of this research was to find out whether intensity of event, resilience, and education would significantly predict posttraumatic stress disorder among flood victims. Participants were 721 adults (men = 329, women = 292) aged 18 to 85 years who were drawn from communities in Ogbaru local government Area of Anambra State. Cross-sectional design was used for the study and hierarchical linear regression was used for data analysis. The Harvard trauma questionnaire and Resilience scale (RS-14) were used for data collection. The Result indicated that Physical intensity of event significantly predicted PTSD (β = 0.33, t = 9.59, p < .001). Emotional intensity of event was not a significant predictor of PTSD (β = 0.07, t = 1.45). Resilience significantly predicted PTSD (β = -0.14, t = -3.72, p < .001). Educational level was also a significant negative predictor of PTSD. Exposure to traumatic event affects every individual both male and female irrespective of their educational status or socioeconomic background. Therefore the government should make sure that they monitor and inform the masses whenever there is danger of traumatic event so as to get them prepared to face the event when it occurs