title: Psychological sequelae resulting from the 2004 Florida hurricanes: implications for postdisaster intervention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Data are limited regarding mental health effects of disasters such as hurricanes. We sought to determine the prevalence of and major risk factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive episode 6 to 9 months after the 2004 Florida hurricanes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Random-digit dialing was used to recruit a representative population sample of 1452 hurricane-affected adults.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Posthurricane prevalence for PTSD was 3.6%, for generalized anxiety disorder was 5.5%, and for major depressive episode was 6.1%. Risk factors varied somewhat across disorders, with the exception of previous exposure to traumatic events, which increased risk of all negative outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Storm exposure variables and displacement were associated primarily with PTSD. Notably, high social support in the 6 months preceding the hurricanes protected against all types of disorders.
authors.affiliation: National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. acierno@musc.edu
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Acierno
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galea
authors.forename: Heidi S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Resnick
authors.forename: Karestan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koenen
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roitzsch
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Arellano
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Dean G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Kilpatrick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*