title: Cognitive and Psychosocial Consequences of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Among Middle-Aged, Older, and Oldest-Old Adults in the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study (LHAS).
abstract: This study examined the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on cognitive and psychosocial functioning among middle-aged (45-64 years), older (65-89 years) and oldest-old adults (90 years and over) in the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study (LHAS). Analyses of pre- and post-disaster cognitive data showed storm-related decrements in working memory for the middle-aged and older adults, but not for the oldest-old adults. Regression analyses confirmed that measures of social engagement and storm-related disruption significantly predicted pre- to post-disaster differences in short-term and working memory performance for the middle-aged and older adults only. These results are consistent with a burden perspective on post-disaster psychological reactions. Implications for current views of disaster reactions are discussed.
authors: Louisiana State University.
authors: Katie E
authors: KE
authors: Cherry
authors: L Joseph
authors: LJ
authors: Su
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Welsh
authors: Sandro
authors: S
authors: Galea
authors: S Michal
authors: SM
authors: Jazwinski
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Silva
authors: Marla J
authors: MJ
authors: Erwin