The Associations between Loss and Posttraumatic Stress and Depressive Symptoms Following Hurricane Ike. Issue 4 (12th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paul, Lisa A.; Price, Matthew; Gros, Daniel F.; Gros, Kirstin Stauffacher; McCauley, Jenna L.; Resnick, Heidi S.; Acierno, Ron; Ruggiero, Kenneth J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 70:Issue 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 322
• Page End: 332
• Publication Date: 2013-07-12
• Subjects: Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jclp22026-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <p>Disasters can have wide‐ranging effects on individuals and their communities. Loss of specific resources (e.g., household contents, job) following a disaster has not been well studied, despite the implications for preparedness efforts and postdisaster interventions.</p> </sec> <sec id="jclp22026-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To provide information about the effects of loss on postdisaster distress, the present study assessed associations between disaster‐related variables, including the loss of specific resources, and postdisaster distress.</p> </sec> <sec id="jclp22026-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Random‐digit dialing methodology was used to recruit hurricane‐affected adults from Galveston and Chambers, TX, counties one year after Hurricane Ike. Data from 1, 249 survivors were analyzed to identify predictors of distress.</p> </sec> <sec id="jclp22026-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Variables that were significantly associated with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms included sustained losses, hurricane exposure, and sociodemographic characteristics; similar results were obtained for depressive symptoms.</p> </sec> <sec id="jclp22026-sec-0050" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Together, these findings suggest risk factors that may be associated with the development of posthurricane distress that can inform preparedness efforts and posthurricane interventions.</p> </sec> </abstract>