The impact of hurricane Katrina on the mental and physical health of low-income parents in New Orleans.
The purpose of this study was to document changes in mental and physical health among 392 low-income parents exposed to Hurricane Katrina and to explore how hurricane-related stressors and loss relate to post-Katrina well-being. The prevalence of probable serious mental illness doubled, and nearly half of the respondents exhibited probable posttraumatic stress disorder. Higher levels of hurricane-related loss and stressors were generally associated with worse health outcomes, controlling for baseline sociodemographic and health measures. Higher baseline resources predicted fewer hurricane-associated stressors, but the consequences of stressors and loss were similar regardless of baseline resources. Adverse health consequences of Hurricane Katrina persisted for a year or more and were most severe for those experiencing the most stressors and loss. Long-term health and mental health services are needed for low-income disaster survivors, especially those who experience disaster-related stressors and loss.
Rhodes
Jean
J
University of Massachusetts.
Chan
Christian
C
0000-0003-2616-5199
University of Massachusetts.
Paxson
Christina
C
Princeton University.
Rouse
Cecilia Elena
CE
Princeton University.
Waters
Mary
M
Harvard University.
Fussell
Elizabeth
E
Washington State University.
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055820:New Orleans / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors