Psychological Distress Following the 2010 Christchurch Earthquake: A Community Assessment of Two Differentially Affected Suburbs

This study aimed to explore posttraumatic distress and the cognitive variables of controllability and predictability in two demographically matched communities differentially affected by the Christchurch earthquake of September 4, 2010 (N = 124). A door-to-door survey was conducted 8–10 weeks after the initial quake. The two communities did not differ on acute stress disorder or symptoms, but the affected community had higher depression and anxiety scores. Depression, feeling on edge, and anxiety scores predicted acute stress symptoms. Uncontrollability of response to aftershocks predicted acute stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Results are discussed with reference to the impact of ongoing aftershocks and how they are likely to maintain a sense that responses to them are uncontrollable, which in turn maintains psychological distress.