Psychiatric symptoms and cognitive appraisal following the near sinking of a research submarine.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the stress reactions of a submarine crew forced to abandon their vessel in high seas after flooding and fire damaged their ship.

METHODS: The remaining crew members (n = 22) were surveyed 7 months after the incident regarding exposures, initial emotional responses, peritraumatic dissociation, subsequent life events, current safety appraisal, and current symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

RESULTS: At 7 months, 9.1% met criteria for PTSD and none met criteria for depression. Higher levels of depressive symptoms were associated with previous traumatic exposures, subsequent life events, and higher levels of PTSD symptoms; higher levels of PTSD symptoms were associated with greater peritraumatic dissociation and initial emotional response.

CONCLUSION: Acute exposures of highly trained professionals to potentially fatal events may not result in high levels of posttraumatic symptoms. Previous and subsequent life events may play a more significant role in the level of postdisaster symptoms.