Hurricane Georges: a cross-national study examining preparedness, resource loss, and psychological distress in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the United States

The psychosocial impact of Hurricane Katrina: contextual differences in psychological symptoms, social support, and discrimination

This study tested a contextual model of disaster reaction by examining regional differences in the psychosocial impact of Hurricane Katrina. A total of 386 individuals participated in this study. All were recruited in the primary areas affected by Hurricane Katrina and included residents of metropolitan New Orleans (Orleans Parish, Louisiana), Greater New Orleans (i.e., Metairie, Kenner, Gretna), and the Mississippi Gulf Coast (i.e., cities along the coast from Waveland to Ocean Springs, Mississippi). Participants were assessed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, other psychological symptoms, perceptions of discrimination, perceptions of social support, evacuation distance, and the extent to which they experienced hurricane-related stressful events. Results were consistent with previous research on the impact of disasters on mental health symptoms. Findings extended research on individual differences in the response to trauma and indicated that regional context predicted unique variance in the experience of discrimination, social support, and emotional symptoms consistent with the theoretical model presented.

The impact of resource loss on Holocaust survivors facing war and terrorism in Israel

We examined the distress level of 102 Holocaust survivors in Israel during a recent period of continuous exposure of the Israeli population to terror and the threat of missile attack. Based on the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, we explored the contribution of losses suffered during the Holocaust and of current loss of resources due to terror attacks on their distress level. Twenty one percent of the sample had probable PTSD and high psychological distress levels in general. Current loss of psychosocial resources contributed significantly to survivors' current PTSD symptomatology and general psychological distress, above the contribution of the previous Holocaust-related loss. Our findings support COR theory, which states that traumatic events are associated with ongoing and often rapid loss of resources. Resource loss, in turn, is associated with higher distress levels. Moreover, current loss of resources compounds the impact of earlier resource losses incurred during the Holocaust.

A Developmental Perspective on Risk for Compassion Fatigue in Middle-aged Nurses Caring for Hurricane Victims in Florida

This research examined the risk for compassion fatigue (CF) in 55 middle-aged female nurses 40 to 60 years old who cared for victims of the 2004 hurricanes in Florida. Developmental theory and CF theory provided the framework for the study. Consistent with both theories, 76% of the nurses were at low risk for CF.

El Salvador earthquakes: relationships among acute stress disorder symptoms, depression, traumatic event exposure, and resource loss

Four and seven weeks after powerful earthquakes in El Salvador, the authors examined the relationships among demographics, traumatic event exposure, social support, resource loss, acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms, depression, and posttraumatic growth. Participants were 253 college students (Study 1) and 83 people in the community (Study 2). In Study 1, female gender, traumatic event exposure, low social support, and loss of personal characteristic, condition, and energy resources contributed to ASD symptoms and depression. In Study 2, damage to home and loss of personal characteristic and object resources contributed to ASD symptoms and depression. Posttraumatic growth was not associated with ASD symptoms or depression. Findings support the conservation of resources stress theory (Hobfoll, 1998). Resource loss spirals, excessive demands on coping, and exposure to multiple disasters are discussed.

The impact of resource loss and traumatic growth on probable PTSD and depression following terrorist attacks

The authors interviewed by phone 2,752 randomly selected individuals in New York City within 6 to 9 months after the attacks of September 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center, and 1,939 of these were reinterviewed at a 12- to 16-month follow-up. It was hypothesized that resource loss would significantly predict probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and probable depression since September 11, and that resource loss's impact would be independent of previously identified predictors relating to individuals' demographic characteristics, history of stressful event exposure, prior trauma history, peritraumatic experience, and social support. Second, it was predicted that reported traumatic growth would be related to greater, not lesser, psychological distress. The authors' findings supported their hypotheses for resource loss, but traumatic growth was unrelated to psychological outcomes when other predictors were controlled.

Factors associated with receiving help and risk factors for disaster-related distress among Connecticut adults 5-15 months after the September 11th terrorist incidents

BACKGROUND

To obtain prevalence estimates and identify factors associated with psychological problems and receipt of help by a geographically proximate population in which some persons had direct exposure but the overall prevalence of direct exposure was low, 5-15 months after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist incidents.

METHOD

Telephone survey data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) (Connecticut Module) with a randomly selected cohort of 2741 women and 1899 men aged 18 and older were examined using bivariate Chi Square and multivariate logistic regression analyses of weighted data.

RESULTS

One in three respondents reported 9/11-related psychological problems, 26% of whom reported receiving formal services or peer support. Risk factors for reporting psychological problems included being surveyed earlier, female gender, age 64 or younger, Hispanic ethnicity, disability, recent depression, and reporting one day or more in the past 30 of poor mental health, sleep problems or worry. Poor mental health was associated with receipt of formal services, and increased alcohol use was associated with receipt of peer support.

CONCLUSION

In the post-impact recovery period following mass trauma, psychological problems by persons with ongoing mental health conditions or increased alcohol use warrant continuing public and professional attention. Women, Hispanics, and disabled adults also may be under-served.

Predictors of emotional adjustment following traumatic injury: personal, social, and material resources

INTRODUCTION

The identification of factors influencing emotional adjustment after injury may elucidate the design of assessment and treatment procedures in emergency medicine settings and suggest targets for early intervention to prevent the later development of psychological impairment. Personal, social, and material resources may be influential factors and require further evaluation.

HYPOTHESES

Greater experiential avoidance, social constraints on discussing the trauma experience, and loss of material resources would be associated with more of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression following traumatic injury.

METHODS

Participants (n = 47) at a mean of 7.4 months post-injury, completed a telephone interview assessment, including evaluation of sociodemographic characteristics, conservation of resources, social constraints, acceptance and commitment, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Hypotheses were tested using multivariate regression analyses.

RESULTS

Only greater social constraints were uniquely predictive of greater PTSD symptomatology. Higher levels of experiential avoidance, social constraints, and loss of material resources all were associated with greater levels of depression.

CONCLUSION

Assessment of personal coping style, receptivity of social network, and loss of potential material resources following traumatic injury may facilitate identification of individuals at-risk for poorer post-injury adaptation. Psychosocial interventions targeting such individuals may be promising.

Predictors of help seeking among Connecticut adults after September 11, 2001

OBJECTIVES

We conducted a population-based telephone survey in an attempt to determine correlates of formal and informal help seeking after September 11, 2001.

METHODS

Between October 15 and December 31, 2001, 1774 Connecticut Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were asked questions directly related to their experiences of September 11.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that receipt of formal help was predicted by sleep problems, close association with a victim, reports of increased smoking or drinking, and receipt of informal help. Age, gender, reports of 1 or more problems, and formal help seeking predicted receipt of informal help.

CONCLUSIONS

Public health planning and bioterrorism preparedness should include programs addressing increased smoking and drinking, sleep problems, and bereavement in the wake of disasters.

Ethnocultural considerations in disasters: an overview of research, issues, and directions

This article provides an overview of cultural considerations when providing disaster relief.