Thirteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

In July 2013, a train derailed in downtown Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. It was responsible for forty-seven deaths, forty-four buildings destroyed, 2000 evacuees, and a major oil spill. A survey has been conducted during winter 2017 among high school students to examine their psychological and social characteristics and the impact of this disaster in regards of exposure or no exposure to this event. The results show that the majority of the respondents are satisfied with their school, their family, and their social life. They have good self-esteem. Many traumatized students thought about suicide in the twelve months prior to the survey. They also report more self-injurious thoughts than non-exposed students. They also showed more moderate to severe post-traumatic stress disorders (scores of twnety-six or more at the Impact of Event Scale). Exposed students were also significantly more likely than non-exposed students to report a deterioration in the quality of life within their municipality.