TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of Hurricane Sandy on the mental health of New York area residents
AU - Schwartz, Rebecca M.
AU - Sison, Cristina
AU - Kerath, Samantha M.
AU - Murphy, Lisa
AU - Breil, Trista
AU - Sikavi, Daniel
AU - Taioli, Emanuela
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term psychological impact of Hurricane Sandy on New York residents.DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study.SETTING: Community-based study.PARTICIPANTS: From October 2013 to February 2015, 669 adults in Long Island, Queens, and Staten Island completed a survey on their behavioral and psychological health, demographics, and hurricane impact (ie, exposure).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).RESULTS: Using multivariable logistic regression models, the relationships between Hurricane Sandy exposure and depression, anxiety, and PTSD were examined. Participants experienced an average of 3.9 exposures to Hurricane Sandy, most of which were related to property damage/loss. Probable depression was reported in 33.4 percent of participants, probable anxiety in 46 percent, and probable PTSD in 21.1 percent. Increased exposure to Hurricane Sandy was significantly associated with a greater likelihood of depression (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.14), anxiety (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03-1.13), and probable PTSD (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.23-1.40), even after controlling for demographic factors known to increase susceptibility to mental health issues.CONCLUSIONS: Individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy reported high levels of mental health issues and were at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and PTSD in the years following the storm. Recovery and prevention efforts should focus on mental health issues in affected populations.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term psychological impact of Hurricane Sandy on New York residents.DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study.SETTING: Community-based study.PARTICIPANTS: From October 2013 to February 2015, 669 adults in Long Island, Queens, and Staten Island completed a survey on their behavioral and psychological health, demographics, and hurricane impact (ie, exposure).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).RESULTS: Using multivariable logistic regression models, the relationships between Hurricane Sandy exposure and depression, anxiety, and PTSD were examined. Participants experienced an average of 3.9 exposures to Hurricane Sandy, most of which were related to property damage/loss. Probable depression was reported in 33.4 percent of participants, probable anxiety in 46 percent, and probable PTSD in 21.1 percent. Increased exposure to Hurricane Sandy was significantly associated with a greater likelihood of depression (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.14), anxiety (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03-1.13), and probable PTSD (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.23-1.40), even after controlling for demographic factors known to increase susceptibility to mental health issues.CONCLUSIONS: Individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy reported high levels of mental health issues and were at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and PTSD in the years following the storm. Recovery and prevention efforts should focus on mental health issues in affected populations.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84992097274
U2 - 10.5055/ajdm.2015.0216
DO - 10.5055/ajdm.2015.0216
M3 - Article
C2 - 27149315
AN - SCOPUS:84992097274
SN - 1932-149X
VL - 10
SP - 339
EP - 346
JO - American journal of disaster medicine
JF - American journal of disaster medicine
IS - 4
ER -