Longitudinal Impact of Hurricane Sandy Exposure on Mental Health Symptoms

Rebecca M. Schwartz, Christina N. Gillezeau, Bian Liu, Wil Lieberman-Cribbin and Emanuela Taioli
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Rebecca M. Schwartz: Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, Hofstra Northwell Health School of Medicine, Great Neck, NY 11021, USA
Christina N. Gillezeau: Department of Population Health Science and Policy and Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
Bian Liu: Department of Population Health Science and Policy and Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
Wil Lieberman-Cribbin: Department of Population Health Science and Policy and Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
Emanuela Taioli: Department of Population Health Science and Policy and Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern coast of the United States in October 2012, causing billions of dollars in damage and acute physical and mental health problems. The long-term mental health consequences of the storm and their predictors have not been studied. New York City and Long Island residents completed questionnaires regarding their initial Hurricane Sandy exposure and mental health symptoms at baseline and 1 year later (N = 130). There were statistically significant decreases in anxiety scores (mean difference = ?0.33, p < 0.01) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores (mean difference = ?1.98, p = 0.001) between baseline and follow-up. Experiencing a combination of personal and property damage was positively associated with long-term PTSD symptoms (OR adj 1.2, 95% CI [1.1–1.4]) but not with anxiety or depression. Having anxiety, depression, or PTSD at baseline was a significant predictor of persistent anxiety (OR adj 2.8 95% CI [1.1–6.8], depression (OR adj 7.4 95% CI [2.3–24.1) and PTSD (OR adj 4.1 95% CI [1.1–14.6]) at follow-up. Exposure to Hurricane Sandy has an impact on PTSD symptoms that persists over time. Given the likelihood of more frequent and intense hurricanes due to climate change, future hurricane recovery efforts must consider the long-term effects of hurricane exposure on mental health, especially on PTSD, when providing appropriate assistance and treatment.

Keywords: natural disasters; follow-up; anxiety; depression; post-traumatic stress disorder (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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