TY - JOUR
T1 - Posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and perceived needs for psychological care in older persons affected by Hurricane Ike
AU - Pietrzak, Robert H.
AU - Southwick, Steven M.
AU - Tracy, Melissa
AU - Galea, Sandro
AU - Norris, Fran H.
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported by the National Center for Disaster Mental Health Research (NIMH Grant 5 P60 MH082598), Fran H. Norris, Center Director, Sandro Galea, Research Director. Preparation of this report was supported by a Research Career Development Award to Dr. Pietrzak from the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at Yale University School of Medicine (NIA Grant P30AG21342). These funding sources had no further role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the paper for publication.
PY - 2012/4
Y1 - 2012/4
N2 - Objective: To examine the prevalence and correlates of disaster-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and needs for psychological care in older persons affected by Hurricane Ike. Method: A total of 193 adults aged 60 or older who resided in the Galveston Bay area were interviewed 2-5 months following Hurricane Ike. Pre-, peri-, and post-disaster variables hypothesized to be related to PTSD and depressive symptoms, and perceived needs for psychological care were assessed. Results: Weighted prevalences of past-month Ike-related PTSD and depression were 7.6% and 8.6%, respectively. Risk factors for Ike-related PTSD symptoms were predominantly peri-disaster in nature, with greater hurricane exposure, and peri-event dissociative and autonomic activation symptoms associated positively with these symptoms. Risk factors for depressive symptoms were predominantly pre-disaster in nature, with being married/living with partner associated negatively, and prior disaster exposure and pre-disaster PTSD or depression associated positively with these symptoms. 27.2% of the sample endorsed at least one of the perceived needs for psychological care assessed. A history of PTSD or depression, greater peri-event autonomic activation, and Ike-related PTSD and depressive symptoms were associated with greater need for psychological care. Limitations: This study is limited by its cross-sectional design and employment of psychiatric screening instruments. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of older adults may have PTSD and depression, as well as perceived needs for psychological care, after a disaster. Assessment of disaster exposures, and peri-event dissociative and autonomic symptoms may help identify older adults at risk for disaster-related psychopathology. Older adults with a history of PTSD or depression, and greater peri-event autonomic activation and PTSD symptoms may be more likely to have needs for psychological care.
AB - Objective: To examine the prevalence and correlates of disaster-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and needs for psychological care in older persons affected by Hurricane Ike. Method: A total of 193 adults aged 60 or older who resided in the Galveston Bay area were interviewed 2-5 months following Hurricane Ike. Pre-, peri-, and post-disaster variables hypothesized to be related to PTSD and depressive symptoms, and perceived needs for psychological care were assessed. Results: Weighted prevalences of past-month Ike-related PTSD and depression were 7.6% and 8.6%, respectively. Risk factors for Ike-related PTSD symptoms were predominantly peri-disaster in nature, with greater hurricane exposure, and peri-event dissociative and autonomic activation symptoms associated positively with these symptoms. Risk factors for depressive symptoms were predominantly pre-disaster in nature, with being married/living with partner associated negatively, and prior disaster exposure and pre-disaster PTSD or depression associated positively with these symptoms. 27.2% of the sample endorsed at least one of the perceived needs for psychological care assessed. A history of PTSD or depression, greater peri-event autonomic activation, and Ike-related PTSD and depressive symptoms were associated with greater need for psychological care. Limitations: This study is limited by its cross-sectional design and employment of psychiatric screening instruments. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of older adults may have PTSD and depression, as well as perceived needs for psychological care, after a disaster. Assessment of disaster exposures, and peri-event dissociative and autonomic symptoms may help identify older adults at risk for disaster-related psychopathology. Older adults with a history of PTSD or depression, and greater peri-event autonomic activation and PTSD symptoms may be more likely to have needs for psychological care.
KW - Depression
KW - Disaster
KW - Functioning
KW - Mental healthcare needs
KW - Older adults
KW - Posttraumatic stress disorder
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84858285382
U2 - 10.1016/j.jad.2011.12.018
DO - 10.1016/j.jad.2011.12.018
M3 - Article
C2 - 22285792
AN - SCOPUS:84858285382
SN - 0165-0327
VL - 138
SP - 96
EP - 103
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
IS - 1-2
ER -