Psychological sequelae resulting from the 2004 Florida hurricanes: implications for postdisaster intervention.
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.
Acierno
Ron
R
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
Ruggiero
Kenneth J
KJ
Galea
Sandro
S
Resnick
Heidi S
HS
Koenen
Karestan
K
Roitzsch
John
J
de Arellano
Michael
M
Boyle
John
J
Kilpatrick
Dean G
DG
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*