Asian journal of psychiatry
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Although local government staff are crucial in post-quake reconstruction, their long-term psychological and professional consequences remain unclear. This longitudinal study investigated changes of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and professional burnout over seven years, and their underlying relationship. The study assessed 250 staff at one year (T1y) after the earthquake, and 162 (64.8 %) were followed up at seven years (T7y). ⋯ The cross-lagged analysis indicated that burnout at T1y predicted PTSD at T7y (β = 0.19, p = 0.025). In conclusion, the Wenchuan earthquake has long-lasting negative effects on local government staff, although they can recover over time. Interventions to reduce professional burnout after disaster may does be beneficial to decrease the risk of PTSD in the long run.