Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common consequences of exposure to natural disasters. The aim of the study is to describe the post-traumatic symptoms in children and adolescents exposed to an earthquake in 2015 in the city of Los Vilos, Chile (Coquimbo Region). The Childhood Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale (CPSS), a questionnaire of severity of exposure to a traumatic event, and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied to 105 participants aged 12 to 16 years, 12 months after the event occurred. The total probable rate of PTSD was 29.5% with a higher incidence in women and younger children. Exposure to disaster and the perception of significant threats to their integrity, increases levels of PTSD. The results show the importance of implementing preventive programs and designing intervention strategies that contribute to face the consequences of a natural disaster in children and adolescents.