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Longitudinal Impact of Hurricane Sandy Exposure on Mental Health Symptoms

Author

Listed:
  • Rebecca M. Schwartz

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, Hofstra Northwell Health School of Medicine, Great Neck, NY 11021, USA)

  • Christina N. Gillezeau

    (Department of Population Health Science and Policy and Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

  • Bian Liu

    (Department of Population Health Science and Policy and Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

  • Wil Lieberman-Cribbin

    (Department of Population Health Science and Policy and Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

  • Emanuela Taioli

    (Department of Population Health Science and Policy and Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

Abstract

Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern coast of the United States in October 2012, causing billions of dollars in damage and acute physical and mental health problems. The long-term mental health consequences of the storm and their predictors have not been studied. New York City and Long Island residents completed questionnaires regarding their initial Hurricane Sandy exposure and mental health symptoms at baseline and 1 year later (N = 130). There were statistically significant decreases in anxiety scores (mean difference = −0.33, p < 0.01) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores (mean difference = −1.98, p = 0.001) between baseline and follow-up. Experiencing a combination of personal and property damage was positively associated with long-term PTSD symptoms (OR adj 1.2, 95% CI [1.1–1.4]) but not with anxiety or depression. Having anxiety, depression, or PTSD at baseline was a significant predictor of persistent anxiety (OR adj 2.8 95% CI [1.1–6.8], depression (OR adj 7.4 95% CI [2.3–24.1) and PTSD (OR adj 4.1 95% CI [1.1–14.6]) at follow-up. Exposure to Hurricane Sandy has an impact on PTSD symptoms that persists over time. Given the likelihood of more frequent and intense hurricanes due to climate change, future hurricane recovery efforts must consider the long-term effects of hurricane exposure on mental health, especially on PTSD, when providing appropriate assistance and treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca M. Schwartz & Christina N. Gillezeau & Bian Liu & Wil Lieberman-Cribbin & Emanuela Taioli, 2017. "Longitudinal Impact of Hurricane Sandy Exposure on Mental Health Symptoms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:9:p:957-:d:109644
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah R Lowe & Laura Sampson & Oliver Gruebner & Sandro Galea, 2015. "Psychological Resilience after Hurricane Sandy: The Influence of Individual- and Community-Level Factors on Mental Health after a Large-Scale Natural Disaster," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Chan, Christian S. & Lowe, Sarah R. & Weber, Elyssa & Rhodes, Jean E., 2015. "The contribution of pre- and postdisaster social support to short- and long-term mental health after Hurricanes Katrina: A longitudinal study of low-income survivors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 38-43.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jennifer M. First & Kelsey Ellis & Mary Lehman Held & Florence Glass, 2021. "Identifying Risk and Resilience Factors Impacting Mental Health among Black and Latinx Adults following Nocturnal Tornadoes in the U.S. Southeast," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Benjamin F. Springgate & Armen C. Arevian & Ashley Wennerstrom & Arthur J. Johnson & David P. Eisenman & Olivia K. Sugarman & Catherine G. Haywood & Edward J. Trapido & Cathy D. Sherbourne & Ashley Ev, 2018. "Community Resilience Learning Collaborative and Research Network (C-LEARN): Study Protocol with Participatory Planning for a Randomized, Comparative Effectiveness Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, August.
    3. Roberta Lavin & Mary Pat Couig & Patricia Watts Kelley & Thais Schwarts & Fermin Ramos, 2023. "Healthcare Impacts Associated with Federally Declared Disasters—Hurricanes Gustave and Ike," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-18, April.
    4. Marco Helbich, 2018. "Mental Health and Environmental Exposures: An Editorial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-4, October.
    5. Rebecca M. Schwartz & Stephanie Tuminello & Samantha M. Kerath & Janelle Rios & Wil Lieberman-Cribbin & Emanuela Taioli, 2018. "Preliminary Assessment of Hurricane Harvey Exposures and Mental Health Impact," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-9, May.
    6. Samantha L. Waddell & Dushyantha T. Jayaweera & Mehdi Mirsaeidi & John C. Beier & Naresh Kumar, 2021. "Perspectives on the Health Effects of Hurricanes: A Review and Challenges," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, March.
    7. Joy Benatov & Dominika Ochnik & Aleksandra M. Rogowska & Ana Arzenšek & Urša Mars Bitenc, 2022. "Prevalence and Sociodemographic Predictors of Mental Health in a Representative Sample of Young Adults from Germany, Israel, Poland, and Slovenia: A Longitudinal Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-18, January.

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