[Relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and perceived social support among middle school students in Wenchuan earthquake-stricken]

To explore the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and perceived social support (PSS) ability among middle school students in earthquake-stricken areas after the Wenchuan earthquake accident.A total of 1966 students from three secondary schools of Wenchuan earthquake-stricken areas were evaluated by PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS).The overall incidence rate of PTSD was 78.3%, with severe PTSD as 24.38%. Significant differences on the incidence rates of PTSD were found among the students who were in different PSS levels (P0.05) and significant negative correlation existed between the levels of severity on PTSD and PSS (gamma = -0.226, P0.05). Significant differences on PTSD incidence rates were found among those students who were from different families or out-family PSS levels (P = 0.009, P0.05). Significant negative correlation existed between the severity of PTSD and family or out-family PSS level (gamma = -0.176, P0.05, gamma = -0.214, P0.05).Relationships between the incidence rate, severity of PTSD and PSS levels existed among the middle school students in Wenchuan earthquake-stricken areas, with higher PSS, lower incidence rate and lighter severity of PTSD. Psychological intervention for earthquake-stricken students should be carried out.