Trajectories of psychological distress among low-income, female survivors of Hurricane Katrina
| Category | Journal Articles |
|---|---|
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study was to investigate trajectories of psychological distress among low-income, primarily unmarried and African American women who survived Hurricane Katrina (N = 386). Data were collected in the year prior to the hurricane as well as approximately 1 and 3 years thereafter. Using Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA), we detected 6 distinct trajectory groups. Over half of the participants fit into a trajectory consistent with resilience; that is, they maintained low levels of psychological distress over the course of the study, but experienced an elevation in symptoms at the first predisaster time point followed by a return to predisaster levels. The other trajectories reflected a range of psychological responses to disasters and indicated that predisaster functioning had a major influence on postdisaster psychological outcomes. Degree of exposure to hurricane-related stressors, experiences of human and pet bereavement, perceived social support, and socioeconomic status were significant predictors of trajectory group membership. Implications for research and policy are discussed. |
| Date | 2013 |
| Volume | 83 |
| Issue | 2 Pt 3 |
| Pages | 398-412 |
| ISBN/ISSN | 1939-0025 (Electronic)0002-9432 (Linking) |
| DOI | 10.1111/ajop.12019 |
| URL | https://www.cebmentoring.org/publication/trajectories-of-psychological-distress-among-low-income-female-survivors-of-hurricane-katrina/ |
| Language | English |
| Author Address | University of Massachusetts Boston, USA. srl2143@columbia.edu |
| Additional Language | English |
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