Symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in an outpatient population before and after Hurricane Katrina

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in an outpatient psychiatric population before and after Hurricane Katrina. The sample consisted of 156 patients (110 females; M(age)=41.2 years, SD=10.9) at an outpatient psychiatric clinic who completed measures of psychological symptoms as part of their regular clinical care in the month before (n=76; 49%) and the 1 month after (n=80; 51%) Hurricane Katrina made landfall. Partially consistent with prediction, depression scores were significantly higher in the month following the hurricane, but PTSD scores were not significantly different. Depressive symptoms after the hurricane were predicted by watching television coverage of the looting that occurred in New Orleans and by the amount of time the participant was without electricity. Symptoms of PTSD after the hurricane were predicted by the participants' use of general television viewing as a coping strategy, the amount of time they spent watching television coverage of the looting in New Orleans, and the use of prayer as a coping behavior. Of these variables, only prayer was associated with a decrease in PTSD symptoms. Findings are discussed in relation to the need for collaborative efforts between clinically oriented and research-oriented institutions to study the impact of large-scale disasters on a variety of populations.

Depression, Mental Distress, and Domestic Conflict among Louisiana Women Exposed to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the WaTCH Study

“…Increased rates of depression after disasters have been well-documented (Arata et al 2000; Buttke et al 2012; Carrasco et al 2007; Cerdá et al 2013; Galea et al 2002; Lyons et al 1999; McLeish and Del Ben 2008), and the results of the present study confirm these findings. Using the same metric, though not directly comparable, only ~20% of individuals in the general population would be expected to exhibit depressive symptoms (Radloff 1977).…”

Disaster Media Coverage and Psychological Outcomes: Descriptive Findings in the Extant Research

“…For example, one study of New York City residents following September 11 found that the association between reported frequency of viewed televised images and probable PTSD remained even after controlling for lifetime history of traumatic events, death of a friend or family in the September 11 attacks, and direct involvement in the rescue efforts following the attacks [19]. After controlling for various exposure factors, among other variables, McLeish and Del Ben [20] found a significant association between Hurricane Katrina television viewing and PTSD symptoms in a sample of psychiatric outpatients who were directly exposed to the disaster. After controlling for demographics and other exposures, Nishi and colleagues [6] reported a significant association between television viewing of coverage of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and PTSD symptoms in a sample of disaster medical assistance responders deployed to the disaster site.…”

Trauma Among Survivors of Hurricane Katrina: Considerations and Recommendations for Mental Health Care

“…L. Whaley oppression Whaley, 2001). Studies reveal a positive association between viewing TV coverage of the aftermath of Katrina and PTSD symptoms (McLeish & Del Ben, 2008;Weems et al, 2007). This may be one reason for that positive correlation.…”

“…Moreover, these studies often find stress reactions (e.g., anxiety, depression) to be more common than PTSD (McLeish & Del Ben, 2008;Najarian et al, 2001;North et al, 2008). We often think of PTSD as the most likely adverse reaction to traumatic experiences, but only about 10% to 30% of a population exposed to man-made events or natural disasters will develop such severe trauma-related illness (Dohrenwend et al, 2006;Perilla et al, 2002).…”