Psychological Symptoms Following the October 2024 DANA Floods in Valencia: A Cross-Sectional Study of Direct Victims, Indirect Victims, and Volunteers

Background: Natural disasters, particularly floods, represent a growing threat to health, with severe physical, emotional, and social consequences; however, evidence in Spanish populations remains scarce. This study aimed to compare the psychological symptoms among direct victims, indirect victims, and volunteers following the October 2024 DANA floods in Valencia and to examine factors associated with these symptoms. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study was conducted from 9 January 2025 to 13 April 2025. Participants completed the Global Post-Traumatic Stress Scale (EGEP), the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and an ad hoc questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, flood exposure, and mental health history. Between-group comparisons and multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Among the 313 participants, 43.13% reported symptoms compatible with DSM-5 PTSD. Proportions differed significantly across exposure groups: 53.6% among direct victims, 37.7% among indirect victims, and 17.6% among volunteers. Direct victims also exhibited higher levels of anxiety, depression, and somatisation compared to volunteers. Perceived life threat and secondary stressors were associated with psychological distress among direct victims. Conclusions: Substantial psychological symptoms were reported among study participants following the DANA floods. The findings support early detection, psychological follow-up, and post-disaster interventions that address both the initial trauma and secondary stressors.