Psychiatric morbidity following Hurricane Andrew

✍ Scribed by Daniella David; Thomas A. Mellman; Lourdes M. Mendoza; Renee Kulick-Bell; Gail Ironson; Neil Schneiderman

• Book ID: 102442291
• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 301 KB
• Volume: 9
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0894-9867
• DOI: 10.1002/jts.2490090316

✦ Synopsis

The nature of psychiatric morbidity in previously non-ill subjects from the area most affected by Hurricane Andrew was investigated at 6-12 months posthurricane. Preliminary associations of morbidity with personal and event-related risk factors were also determined. Fifty one percent (31161) met criteria for a new-onset disordes including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 36%, major depression (MD) in 30%, and other anriety disorders in 20%. Thirty four subjects (56%) had significant symptoms persisting beyond 6 months. Having sustained "severe damage" was the risk factor most strongly associated with outcome. Our data underscore the range of psychiatric morbidity related to a natural disastec and suggest a relationship to chronic stressors.