Neural vulnerability and hurricane-related media are associated with post-traumatic stress in youth

Anthony Steven Dick (), Karina Silva, Raul Gonzalez, Matthew T. Sutherland, Angela R. Laird, Wesley K. Thompson, Susan F. Tapert, Lindsay M. Squeglia, Kevin M. Gray, Sara Jo Nixon, Linda B. Cottler, Annette M. Greca, Robin H. Gurwitch and Jonathan S. Comer
Additional contact information
Anthony Steven Dick: Florida International University
Karina Silva: University of Houston
Raul Gonzalez: Florida International University
Matthew T. Sutherland: Florida International University
Angela R. Laird: Florida International University
Wesley K. Thompson: University of California, San Diego
Susan F. Tapert: University of California, San Diego
Lindsay M. Squeglia: Medical University of South Carolina
Kevin M. Gray: Medical University of South Carolina
Sara Jo Nixon: University of Florida
Linda B. Cottler: University of Florida
Annette M. Greca: University of Miami
Robin H. Gurwitch: Duke University Medical Center
Jonathan S. Comer: Florida International University

Nature Human Behaviour, 2021, vol. 5, issue 11, 1578-1589

Abstract: Abstract The human toll of disasters extends beyond death, injury and loss. Post-traumatic stress (PTS) can be common among directly exposed individuals, and children are particularly vulnerable. Even children far removed from harm’s way report PTS, and media-based exposure may partially account for this phenomenon. In this study, we examine this issue using data from nearly 400 9- to 11-year-old children collected before and after Hurricane Irma, evaluating whether pre-existing neural patterns moderate associations between hurricane experiences and later PTS. The ‘dose’ of both self-reported objective exposure and media exposure predicted PTS, the latter even among children far from the hurricane. Furthermore, neural responses in brain regions associated with anxiety and stress conferred particular vulnerability. For example, heightened amygdala reactivity to fearful stimuli moderated the association between self-reported media exposure and PTS. Collectively, these findings show that for some youth with measurable vulnerability, consuming extensive disaster-related media may offer an alternative pathway to disaster exposure that transcends geography and objective risk.

Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:nathum:v:5:y:2021:i:11:d:10.1038_s41562-021-01216-3

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DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01216-3

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