Peripheral victims of the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster.

Full Abstract

We report on an unexpected phenomenon following the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster. A series of cross-channel ferry workers referred by their GPs to the Folkestone Mental Health Team, during the three years after the disaster, presented with post-traumatic stress disorder, despite having no direct contact with the disaster as survivors, bereaved relatives or helpers. A retrospective case study is described of 14 ferry crew members presenting with PTSD. Thirteen completed the GHQ60. Evidence is presented of severe functional impairment in this group. It is argued that these subjects are indirect victims of the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster. Ways in which the 'ripples outward' of a major marine accident might extend to such peripheral victims are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Dixon, P (P); Rehling, G (G); Shiwach, R (R);

Affiliation: District Psychologist South East Kent Health Authority.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The British journal of medical psychology (Br J Med Psychol), published in ENGLAND. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1993-Jun; vol 66 ( Pt 2) (issue ) : pp 193-202

Dates: Created 1993/09/17; Completed 1993/09/17; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 8353112, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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