Health consequences of differences in emotional processing and reactivity following the 1997 earthquake in Central Italy

The Impact of Event Scale: validation of an Italian version

OBJECTIVE

To validate an Italian version of the Impact of Event Scale (IES) in patients addressing the emotional impact of a recent road accident.

METHODS

Seventy-nine subjects were examined within 1-34 weeks after an accident by means of (1). an Italian version of the IES, (2). a free description of the accident, and (3). a questionnaire assessing subjects' behaviour and feelings.

RESULTS

IES data were analysed by means of the principal component analysis (PCA) method, followed by a quartimax rotation, obtaining a two-factor solution interpreted as intrusion (Factor 1) and avoidance (Factor 2). Furthermore, the scores to the two subscales were considered in order to assess their predictive value on some variables linked to the traumatic event. Intrusion significantly discriminated the emotional intensity and fear level of subjects as a consequence of the accident.

CONCLUSIONS

The IES is a two-dimensional test capable of evaluating posttraumatic stress. The intrusion and avoidance factors explained 40% of the total variance. The two-factor solution has a psychological counterpart and is similar to the findings of earlier studies conducted on a larger number of subjects in other countries.