Examining Children's Fears in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (original) (raw)
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Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 2009
This investigation examined psychosocial and behavioral factors involved in the course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in youth affected by Hurricane Katrina. Participants (N = 152; 54% female; 61% Caucasian; mean age = 11.5 years) self-reported on hurricane exposure, PTSD symptoms, fear reactivity, regulatory abilities, social experiences, and coping 1.5 months following the storm, and on their PTSD symptoms again 8 months following the storm. Fear reactivity predicted more severe initial PTSD symptoms. Peer victimization added to the prediction of subsequent PTSD symptoms. Whereas regulatory abilities protected against PTSD symptoms both initially and across time, a negative coping style enhanced vulnerability to PTSD symptoms. Thus, mental health service providers should work to minimize peer victimization experiences, improve regulatory abilities, and promote alternatives to negative coping in youth following disasters.
Surviving catastrophe: A study of children in Hurricane Katrina
2006
Abstract In this research, we examined children's experiences in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in an effort to contribute to the disaster literature on this important and seriously understudied topic. Specifically, we explored the following research questions:(1) What were the children's experiences in the disaster?;(2) What are others doing for the children to lessen their vulnerability?; and () What are children doing for themselves and others to reduce disaster impacts?
Prediction of posttraumatic stress symptoms in children after Hurricane Andrew
Journal of Abnormal …, 1996
The authors used an integrative conceptual model to examine the emergence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 568 elementary school-age children 3 months after Hurricane Andrew. The model included 4 primary factors: Exposure to Traumatic Events, Child Characteristics, Access to Social Support, and Children's Coping. Overall, 62% of the variance in children's selfreported PTSD symptoms was accounted for by the 4 primary factors, and each factor improved overall prediction of symptoms when entered in the analyses in the order specified by the conceptual model. The findings suggest that the conceptual model may be helpful to organize research and intervention efforts in the wake of natural disasters. Hurricane Andrew struck Dade County, Florida, on August 24, 1992, in one of the worst natural disasters ever to occur in the United States, Over 175,000 residents were left homeless as 30,000 houses, 19,000 mobile homes, and 12,000 apartments were destroyed (Slevin & Filkins, 1992). Destruction was more widespread than expected, and many children were terrified during the hurricane as their homes were damaged or destroyed. In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, thousands of children struggled to adapt to the loss of their homes, pets, toys, and friends. Parents, school personnel, mental health professionals, and members of the media expressed widespread concern about children's psychological reactions following exposure to such a traumatic event. Concerns were also expressed about which children were at highest risk to develop negative or adverse reactions. Concerns such as these guided the present investigation. This study sought to examine diverse factors, some of which have been previously linked with children's responses to natural disasters, within the context of an integrative conceptual model. In a recent review of the literature on children's reactions to disasters, Vogel and Vernberg (1993) concluded that a major
The Effects of Hurricane Katrina on Females with a Pre-Existing Fear of Storms
Current Psychology, 2010
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Hurricane Katrina on those with preexisting storm fear. Participants were divided into two groups, those with a fear of storms and control participants with no reported fears of any specific stimuli. Differences were examined on measures of exposure to and distress from trauma, fear, coping self-efficacy, and demographic variables. The participants were 62 female undergraduate college students who completed an online survey examining the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Despite no differences in the overall occurrence of trauma between the two groups, storm-fearful participants reported significantly more overall distress from their exposure when compared to the non-fearful participants. Those with storm-fears also reported significantly poorer coping self-efficacy following the storm than those who were not fearful. Overall, individuals with a fear of storms reported experiencing greater psychological impact and poorer coping self-efficacy from the same degree of storm exposure.
Child Youth Care Forum 42(4): 285-337, 2013
Abstract Background A comprehensive review of the design principles and methodological approaches that have been used to make inferences from the research on disasters in children is needed. Objective To identify the methodological approaches used to study children’s reactions to three recent major disasters—the September 11, 2001, attacks; the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami; and Hurricane Katrina. Methods This review was guided by a systematic literature search. Results A total of 165 unduplicated empirical reports were generated by the search and examined for this review. This included 83 references on September 11, 29 on the 2004 Tsunami, and 53 on Hurricane Katrina. Conclusions A diversity of methods has been brought to bear in understanding children’s reactions to disasters. While cross-sectional studies predominate, pre-event data for some investigations emerged from archival data and data from studies examining non-disaster topics. The nature and extent of the influence of risk and protective variables beyond disaster exposure are not fully understood due, in part, to limitations in the study designs used in the extant research. Advancing an understanding of the roles of exposure and various individual, family, and social factors depends upon the extent to which measures and assessment techniques are valid and reliable, as well as on data sources and data collection designs. Comprehensive assessments that extend beyond questionnaires and checklists to include interviews and cognitive and biological measures to elucidate the negative and positive effects of disasters on children also may improve the knowledge base.
Reconstructing Childhood: An Exploratory Study of Children in Hurricane Katrina
2006
Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating disasters in the history of the United States. In this report, we examine children’s experiences in the aftermath of the catastrophe. Data was gathered through participant observation, focus groups, infor- mal interviews, and in-depth formal interviews with parents, grandparents, day care service providers, school administrators, elementary school teachers, mental health service providers, religious leaders, and evacuee shelter coordinators in Louisiana. This research describes the experiences of children and their families in the days and weeks following the storm, discusses what was done on behalf of chil- dren to reduce their vulnerability, and illustrates various things that children did for themselves and for others to lessen the impacts of the disaster.
Psychological distress of adolescents exposed to Hurricane Hugo
Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1994
To ascertain the effects of a natural disaster on adolescents, 1482 South Carolina high school students who were exposed to Hurricane Hugo were surveyed 1 year after the disaster. Subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire measuring Hugo exposure, nonviolent and violent life events, social support, self-efficacy, and psychological distress. Results showed that the students reported minimal exposure to the hurricane and psychological distress variables approximated national norms. As exposure increased, adolescents reported increased symptoms of psychological distress; i.e., anger, depression, anxiety, and global mental distress. Females and white students experienced higher levels of distress. In most cases, other stressful life events were at least as strong a predictor of psychological distress as was exposure to the hurricane. Self-efficacy and social support were protective.