title: Posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and perceived needs for psychological care in older persons affected by Hurricane Ike.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the prevalence and correlates of disaster-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and needs for psychological care in older persons affected by Hurricane Ike.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 193 adults aged 60 or older who resided in the Galveston Bay area were interviewed 2-5 months following Hurricane Ike. Pre-, peri-, and post-disaster variables hypothesized to be related to PTSD and depressive symptoms, and perceived needs for psychological care were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weighted prevalences of past-month Ike-related PTSD and depression were 7.6% and 8.6%, respectively. Risk factors for Ike-related PTSD symptoms were predominantly peri-disaster in nature, with greater hurricane exposure, and peri-event dissociative and autonomic activation symptoms associated positively with these symptoms. Risk factors for depressive symptoms were predominantly pre-disaster in nature, with being married/living with partner associated negatively, and prior disaster exposure and pre-disaster PTSD or depression associated positively with these symptoms. 27.2% of the sample endorsed at least one of the perceived needs for psychological care assessed. A history of PTSD or depression, greater peri-event autonomic activation, and Ike-related PTSD and depressive symptoms were associated with greater need for psychological care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is limited by its cross-sectional design and employment of psychiatric screening instruments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A substantial proportion of older adults may have PTSD and depression, as well as perceived needs for psychological care, after a disaster. Assessment of disaster exposures, and peri-event dissociative and autonomic symptoms may help identify older adults at risk for disaster-related psychopathology. Older adults with a history of PTSD or depression, and greater peri-event autonomic activation and PTSD symptoms may be more likely to have needs for psychological care.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA. robert.pietrzak@yale.edu
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Pietrzak
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Southwick
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tracy
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galea
authors.forename: Fran H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Norris
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013781:Texas