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Your Environment. Your Health.

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Resource loss, coping, alcohol use, and posttraumatic stress symptoms among survivors of Hurricane Katrina: A cross-sectional study

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Author(s):
Kishore V, Theall KP, Robinson W, Pichon J, Scribner R, Roberson E, Johnson S
Year:
2008
Journal:
American Journal of Disaster Medicine. 3 (6): 345-357
Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the faculty, staff and students at a university located in New Orleans, LA. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, Web-based survey. SETTING: A local college university in New Orleans, LA. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 364 faculty, staff and students surveyed during mid July 2006 to September 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, coping, resource loss, and substance use. RESULTS: The study revealed substantial degree of resource loss and consequences due to Katrina. Approximately 22 percent of respondents had PTSD symptoms one year post-Katrina. Positive coping was strongly protective of PTSD symptoms in our sample. Alcohol and drug consumption, on the other hand, was associated with greater PTSD symptoms. Coping, alcohol use, and personal and family injury were also associated with resource loss. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of a disaster need mental health and substance use services and resources well beyond the first year post disaster, and the student population should be factored in any evacuation planning.

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Resource Description

Exposure What is this?

weather or climate related pathway by which climate change affects health

    Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Human Conflict/Displacement
    • Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Human Conflict/Displacement: Flood, Hurricane
Geographic Feature What is this?

resource focuses on specific type of geography

    Ocean/Coastal
Geographic Location What is this?

resource focuses on specific location

    United States
Health Impact What is this?

specification of health effect or disease related to climate change exposure

    Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being
    • Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being: Stress Disorder
Resource Type What is this?

format or standard characteristic of resource

    Research Article
Special Topic What is this?

related topics that intersect with those captured in other filters

    Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population
    • Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm, Resilience, Vulnerability Assessment
    • Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Other communication Audience, Specify
    • Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Elderly, Low Socioeconomic Status
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