The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychiatric comorbidity rates, severity of psychological disorders, and factors predicting cormorbidities in disaster victims with PTSD.

Three hundred and fifty-three disaster victims who scored over the threshold to be classified as potentially meeting criteria for PTSD were selected data from Long-term Investigation of Disaster Victims and Development of Life-Friendly Relief Policy Technology in South Korea.

First, total comorbidity rate of depression or anxiety disorder only and both depression and anxiety disorder in individuals with PTSD was found in 37.4%. Second, the severity of psychological disorders increased with the number of comorbid disorders. Third, factors predicting comorbidities were sex (women), marital status (unmarried), economic distress (monthly income reduction and recipient of basic living) and low resilience.

The findings may help to identify vulnerable individuals that may develop other psychological disorders in individuals with PTSD and maximize treatment effects.