Resource loss and relocation: A follow-up study of adolescents two years after Hurricane Katrina.

Abstract

The long-term psychological impact of Hurricane Katrina was assessed among students (N ϭ 636) at two high schools in southeastern Louisiana. Displaced students from the greater New Orleans area were compared with nondisplaced students on several factors. Displaced students reported higher levels of general psychological distress (GPD) and posttraumatic stress (PTS). Age, resource loss, relocation time, relocation distance, self-esteem, optimism, storm exposure, and gender were then assessed in separate regression models predicting GPD and PTS. Both hierarchical regression models were significantly predictive. Self-esteem, relocation distance, optimism, resource loss, and storm exposure were significant predictors of GPD. Resource loss, relocation time, storm exposure, and self-esteem were significant predictors of PTS. As expected, gender did not make significant contributions to either model.

Gender differences in loss of psychological resources following experimentally-induced vicarious stress

“…Thus, in accordance with our hypothesis, women who possess fewer personal resources than men to begin with may also be more vulnerable to experiencing a greater loss of resources when exposed to traumatic stimuli. These findings are consistent with data presented by Blaze and Shwalb (2009) reporting a significant, though modest, effect for gender on resource loss following threat exposure. However, a number of studies (e.g., Benight et al, 1999;Sumer et al, 2005) failed to find significant gender differences in loss of resources following exposure to a traumatic community stressor.…”

“…However, little empirical research has been conducted to date on gender differences in loss of resources following exposure to trauma. In one study among high school students conducted two years post-Hurricane Katrina, greater resource loss was found among girls relative to boys (Blaze & Shwalb, 2009). However, gender was not found to be related to resource loss in two disaster studies (Benight et al, 1999;Sumer et al, 2005).…”

Rebuild or Relocate? Resilience and Postdisaster Decision‐Making After Hurricane Sandy

“…The limited number of existing studies that have examined the mid-and long-term impacts of postdisaster relocation have indicated that the relocation process may expose disaster victims to a broad array of challenges, including psychological distress (Blaze and Shwalb 2009), medically unexplained physical symptoms (Yzermans et al 2005), economic hardship (Hori and Schafer 2009), and disruptions in social networks (Sanders et al 2003). These effects appear to be influenced by the duration (Blaze and Shwalb 2009;Yzermans et al 2005), distance (Hori and Schafer 2009;Kessler et al 2008), and context (Riad and Norris 1996) of the relocation.…”

The Devil Is in the Details: Linking Home Buyout Policy, Practice, and Experience After Hurricane Sandy

“…While few studies have examined the risks of buyout programs specifically, previous studies have found displacement to be associated with a range of social costs including losses in homeownership, social networks, access to healthcare, employment, income, and physical and mental health (Blaze & Shwalb, 2009;Hori & Schafer, 2009;Mortensen, Wilson, & Ho, 2009;Riad & Norris, 1996;Sanders, Bowie, & Bowie, 2003;Weber & Peek, 2012). These risks may be exacerbated for individuals and households who relocate permanently as compared to temporarily (Badri, Asgary, Eftekhari, & Levy, 2006;Blaze & Shwalb, 2009;Milne, 1977;Yzermans et al, 2005), for those who relocate outside their original community (Hori & Schafer, 2009;Kessler et al, 2008), and for those who experience ecological stress (e.g. food shortages, overcrowding) while displaced and in the relocation process (Riad & Norris, 1996).…”