Causal attributions and psychiatric symptoms in survivors of the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster

Br J Psychiatry. 1991 Oct:159:542-6. doi: 10.1192/bjp.159.4.542.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between causal attributions and psychiatric symptoms in those who survived the capsizing of the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry, two years following the disaster. Internal and controllable attributions for disaster-related experience are strongly related to poorer psychological outcome.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents / psychology*
  • Adult
  • Depression / diagnosis*
  • Depression / psychology*
  • England
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Ships*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Survival / psychology*